Not in Florida. 

   Agents need to use caution before talking about homicide, suicide, deaths, or HIV AIDS. 

    Such a disclosure might be detrimental to the Seller.    If you have a Fiduciary relationship with that Seller, you should get a written statement from the Seller regarding such disclosure.  You may want to seek legal counsel from an attorney.    

   Neither the Owner/Seller, nor you the Agent, can be sued for failing to disclose such a fact.

   This is what the law says:

        Florida Statutes 689.25 

    689.25 Failure to disclose homicide, suicide, deaths, or diagnosis of HIV or AIDS infection in an occupant of real property.—

Yes, a death in the home within the past three (3) years is a required seller disclosure as are all material facts.

I believe a murder falls in the category of not only a death but a material fact as well.  

For California, Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist covered your answer. I'll add we have to disclose it if asked, regardless of time, but after 3 years, only if asked and conversely never if due to aides.

I'm selling a home right now with a death in it, but it was over 3 years ago. So, no disclosure, but an honest answer if asked.

In CA it is for the past 3 years.  If death was from AIDS, one does not have to disclose what/ow the cause of death.  If asked, must be honest.  If you lie, I'm pretty sure the neighbor will inform the new owner before the Recorder's stamp ink is dry.  

In Montana, there is no law requiring the disclosure of death or suicide.

yes, dear lady, a death or drug bust has to be mentioned. Why? If something, after the close goes wrong, that is one excuse that will come up in a court of law to make a case. People will get over the mishap if briefed, but if not told? Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 ...queen of the airwaves

Not in North Carolina. In South Carolina, only if asked. In both states, if asked we must tell the truth.

Thank you Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate for your detailed answer on Florida law. I used to teach it at the Board but have been retired since 2016 and knowledge not necessary any longer is drifting away. 

I believe that in Arizona, a death or murder in the home does not need to be disclosed.  Candice A. Donofrio knows it all, so I will rely upon her for confirmation of my statement, haha.  It's good for prospective buyers to talk to the neighbors since the neighbors will tell you everything you want to know about the home in question, haha.

No, not in Connecticut. Psychological or other "traumatic" events do not need to be disclosed. Of course if you know something are are specifically asked, it would be best to be honest. 

Not in North Dakota Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 . We do not need to disclose paranormal activity either.

Ah, the age-old question: to disclose or not to disclose? In Massachusetts, it’s a bit of a mixed bag, folks! This lovely state carries the title of a "caveat emptor" haven, which is just fancy Latin for "let the buyer beware." So, what does that mean for sellers? 

Well, unless the house has seen some serious drama—a violent death, a murder, suicide, or any supernatural shenanigans that could scare off potential buyers—you're not legally required to spill the beans. However, buyers aren't just looking for a cozy fireplace and a killer kitchen; they might want to know if the place is "haunted." Who wouldn’t, right?

So here in Massachusetts, if you’re selling and your house comes with an eerie backstory, you might want to weigh the pros and cons of disclosure. Do you want to be haunted by an angry ghost or just a disgruntled buyer? It’s a tough call! But remember, transparency can be your best friend.

Two good answers from Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist  and Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP as far a California requirements are concerned. 

I agree with Kathleen that murder in the residence or even murder of an owner away from the residence would be a material fact to share. You know the new owner would find out from the neighbors soon after taking occupancy and the results might lead to a lawsuit for failure to disclose.

No.

Maryland does not require disclose of death on a property. The state excludes “homicide, suicide, accidental death , natural death , or felony” as they are not considered material facts.

It is not a legal requirement, in Illinois, unless the death or murder has been outright and notorious (ie: such as a death or murder that made headlines).

Now, that being said, a notable death in the home will be the scuttlebutt of the neighbourhood, and you surely don't want the new owner to learn of something gruesome as they move into the home and feel as though you hid a "material fact", so probably better to discuss it at some point, but there is no legal obligation.

Not in IL.

In TX agents do not practice law. Sellers should read the Seller's Disclosure. An agent does not interpret the law for the Seller. Sellers are advised to consult with a Real Estate Attorney if there are questions about disclosure concerning TX Property Code Section 5.008, the focus is on conditions that affect the physical state of the property. 

Neighbors talk. Lawsuits do occur. Sellers can still be liable. There are case studies that Seller could be held liable for non disclosure if they had a duty to disclose and failed to do so. 

Consult with an Attorney. Disclose! Disclose! Disclose! 

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 

I agree with Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate , now the neighbors will more likely say something.

In California the requirement is the "Death of an occupant of the property, upon the property, within the last three years."

20 years ago, you had to report deaths of the same fashion that occurred within seven years.

Murders can be a material fact and that would need disclosure.

One thing of note, banks and trustees  are typically exempt from disclosures if they haven't lived there.  There is an exempt seller disclosure form they can fill out.  It's 100% possible that a disclosable death could happen in the home, the bank forecloses and resells the home not knowing and legally not disclosing it, and the next owner would have no clue and no disclosure duties.  I advised my investors to stay away from one of these properties.  It was going to foreclosure and I went to inspect it.  It looked familiar and the street name sounded familiar.  Turns out I had read about a murder/suicide in that house two months back in the local paper.  Some quick onscene searching and I was able to find the article, which included a photo of the home and I could confirm it was the same home due to some unique features of the neighbors.  We passed on that one!  No clue if the person who bought it found out about the incident or disclosed it.  I assume they did, as neighbors talk and that was certainly the talk of the street!

Not in Oregon. The items to disclose are dictated by the state legislature and murder/suicide is not included. However, if someone asks us as agents representing our seller whether or not someone died or was murdered in the home, we are required to answer honestly.

Question must be answered honestly, but does not have to be disclosed.

Hi Margaret:

Great question, with several others from California already responding. I have nothing to add to what was said. It's interesting how varied the disclosure laws are.

Jeff

Hello Margaret we do not have to in Colorado.  I know that neighbors talk and it could come out.

Morning Margaret, in Colorado, we do not have to disclose, as it will harm the seller.   It is buyer's due diligence to search out that information.    It is better if the Seller discloses, if the buyer asks neighbors and this is a sticking point, they could terminate and best to know upfront.

Free and open conversations but not required. 

If they ask, & I know, it must be disclosed.  Otherwise, no.  

Isn't it interesting how states handle this differently, Margaret? In CO, we may not disclose "psychological defects" without the Seller's written permission. Learning early in my career that neighbors will "spill your beans" to the new owner, I won't list a home without that permission. Some Buyers care, some don't. But those who do care deeply, and I would not want to subject them to that. Hope life is treating you kindly.

Only if asked and we have direct knowledge we have to answer honestly.

But it is not considered material in Georgia. 

Here's the official ruling Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 

"In Massachusetts, real estate professionals and sellers are not legally obligated to disclose that a property is "psychologically impacted" due to events like murder, suicide, or alleged paranormal activity, according to Chapter 93, Section 114."

Not in VA in most cases, but you might as well ask buyers if they want to know about any deaths that occurred at the home, because there's a good chance it's already posted all over the internet.

No we do not. 

Yes, any material fact, especially death and especially murder.