What Is a TISH Inspection? Why Do Minneapolis & St. Paul Require One?

If you’re selling a home or condo in Minneapolis or St. Paul, your Realtor® has likely told you about a special inspection these cities require called a Truth in Sale of Housing or TISH inspection. A TISH inspection is an evaluation you must have completed before showing your home for sale. Here’s a look at TISH inspection requirements in Minneapolis and St. Paul and what it means for you as a seller.

TISH Inspections for Minneapolis Homes

If you’re selling your Minneapolis single-family home, townhome, duplex, or first-time condo conversion, you must pass a TISH inspection. Minneapolis city code requires the TISH inspection be completed within three days of putting your home on the market and before any buyers view your home. The city requires these inspections to assure that quality housing is available in Minneapolis.

Your TISH inspection must be completed by a licensed TISH evaluator. These are third-party contractors that complete TISH inspections on behalf of the city. Your Realtor® can help you find and schedule an evaluator for your TISH inspection.

The TISH inspection takes a half-hour to an hour and covers more than two dozen items in your home, from roof structure and venting to basement egress and the integrity of your foundation. Often, a TISH evaluator will require repairs to your home to be made and then re-inspected before you can close on your home. However, you can show your home as you complete these repairs.

Once you’ve made the required repairs (or if your TISH inspection did not require any), the evaluator will issue a Certificate of Approval (COA) online. You need this certificate to close on your home; otherwise, the buyer must agree to have the repairs completed within 90 days.

TISH Inspections for St. Paul Homes

The TISH inspection in St. Paul helps provide buyers with a broad overview of the condition of your home’s building components and fixtures. The city requires you to share your home’s inspection report with all potential buyers. Like Minneapolis, St. Paul requires TISH inspections for single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes. It is also required for condos and co-op homes.

You must complete your TISH inspection within three days of offering your home for sale and before any buyers walk through it. St. Paul TISH inspection evaluators are third-party contractors. You or your Realtor® can schedule your home’s TISH inspection appointment.

The major difference between a Minneapolis TISH inspection and a St. Paul one is that a St. Paul TISH inspection only has one required repair—every home must have at least one hardwired smoke detector. All other repair items must be disclosed, but the seller is not required to complete the repairs before closing on the sale of their home.

If you’re considering selling your Minneapolis and St. Paul home, talk with your real estate agent about scheduling your TISH inspection. Contact Trent Shipley at Keller Williams Realty Integrity NW today to start the process.