Massachusetts Real Estate Broker Exam — All Questions

Under the Massachusetts Lead Law, additional obligations are triggered when residential property built before 1978 is sold or rented and:

• a.A child under age 6 will or does occupy the dwelling✓
• b.The property has more than one bathroom
• c.The buyer intends to renovate the kitchen
• d.The property is on a private well

The Massachusetts Lead Law focuses on protecting young children: when a child under six occupies (or will occupy) a pre-1978 dwelling, lead paint hazards must be brought into compliance (deleaded or made interim-safe). Sellers and lessors must provide the required lead disclosure and property-transfer notification. This state duty is in addition to the federal pre-1978 lead-paint disclosure.

In many Massachusetts home sales, the property relies on an on-site septic system. Massachusetts 'Title 5' generally requires:

• a.The buyer to install a new well
• b.The seller to pay all closing costs
• c.The town to purchase the septic system
• d.The septic system to be inspected around the time of transfer, with results reported as required✓

Massachusetts Title 5 regulates on-site sewage (septic) systems. When property served by a septic system is transferred, the system generally must be inspected within the time frame set by the regulation and the results reported to the buyer and the relevant board of health. A failed system typically must be repaired or upgraded. Licensees should ensure a required Title 5 inspection is arranged.

Before a residential property is conveyed in Massachusetts, the seller is generally responsible for providing a certificate showing that the home has:

• a.A new roof
• b.Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as certified by the local fire department✓
• c.A transferable home warranty
• d.Passed a municipal appraisal

Massachusetts requires that homes have compliant, working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at the time of sale, verified by a certificate from the local fire department obtained before closing. The seller ordinarily arranges the inspection and provides the certificate. Licensees should confirm the certificate is obtained so the closing is not delayed.