25 plain-English articles · Last reviewed September 2026

California Seller Disclosures & Property-Risk Information

Before escrow closes, a California buyer is asked to digest a stack of disclosures about the property's condition, history and risks. This guide explains what those documents mean, which statutory forms and exemptions exist, how repairs, water damage, unpermitted work, hazards, HOA finances and other facts fit into the picture, and how to spot what still needs investigation.

Start With the Basics Talk with a Buyer's Agent

This guide separates two ideas that are easy to confuse: the statutory disclosure forms a seller may be required to complete, and the broader duty to disclose known material facts affecting the property's value or desirability. Exemptions from a particular form do not necessarily eliminate every disclosure obligation, and no disclosure package replaces inspections, title review or the buyer's own investigation. The articles are general information, not legal advice; for individualized advice about a specific property, consult a qualified California real estate attorney.

California Disclosure Basics

What seller disclosures are, what the Transfer Disclosure Statement covers, who may be exempt, how a seller property questionnaire works, and what makes a fact material.

101 What Are California Seller Disclosures? 102 What Is a Transfer Disclosure Statement? 103 Who May Be Exempt From the TDS? 104 What Is a Seller Property Questionnaire? 105 What Is a Material Fact?

Property Condition and History

Which repairs, water damage, roof leaks, insurance claims, unpermitted work, deaths and stigmatizing history may be material to a California buyer.

106 Do Sellers Have to Disclose Repairs? 107 Do Sellers Have to Disclose Water Damage? 108 Do Sellers Have to Disclose Roof Leaks? 109 Do Sellers Have to Disclose Insurance Claims? 110 Do Sellers Have to Disclose Unpermitted Work? 111 Must a Death Be Disclosed? 112 What Is a Stigmatized Property?

Natural and Environmental Hazards

Mapped natural-hazard and fire-hazard information, earthquake fault and seismic hazard zones, flood zones, and other environmental concerns buyers should investigate.

113 What Is a Natural Hazard Disclosure? 114 What Is an Earthquake Fault Zone? 115 What Is a Seismic Hazard Zone? 116 What Is a Flood Zone? 117 What Is a Fire Hazard Severity Zone? 118 What Environmental Hazards Should Buyers Investigate?

Financial and Property-Specific Disclosures

HOA disclosures and special assessments, Mello-Roos taxes, solar agreements, wells and septic systems, changed disclosures during escrow, and a complete buyer checklist.

119 What HOA Disclosures Should Buyers Review? 120 What Is a Special Assessment? 121 What Is Mello-Roos? 122 What Should Buyers Know About Solar Disclosures? 123 What Should Buyers Know About Wells and Septic Systems? 124 What Happens if a Disclosure Changes? 125 California Seller Disclosure Checklist

Earlier in the series

California Home Offers, Contracts & Negotiation

Preparing an offer, counteroffers, seller credits, cash and financing, contingencies and the terms that shape every transaction.

Open the Offers Guide

Earlier in the series

Finding, Touring & Comparing California Homes

How to search and compare California homes, from the MLS and listing alerts to touring, listing status and property types.

Open the Touring Guide

Earlier in the series

California Home Inspections & Buyer Due Diligence

Inspection basics, responding to findings, specialized evaluations and a complete pre-close due-diligence checklist.

Open the Inspections Guide

Put the guide to work

Read the disclosures with a local agent.

JC Pacific Corp is an Irvine-based brokerage serving buyers across Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Inland Empire, with escrow and mortgage coordination on every transaction. Tell us what you are looking for and we will help you review the documents before you accept the risk.

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