Do you disclose a haunting?

[Dennis Tierney]

I had a friend ask last evening if she needs to disclose to prospective tenants that their half of a duplex may be haunted. Not having any experience with this I thought I'd ask BP. She bought it as a rehab and in the process her workmen have noted unexplained door slammings, foot steps from upstairs when no one else is there and someone tapping them on the shoulder when no one else is there and unexplained noises from the baement when no one else is there. It apparnetly is only one one side of the duplex and the other half is already rented without incident. She had one prospect look at the main floor and liked it then went upstairs and quickly came down and ran out of the house saying it wasn't for her. What do you think?

[Wayne Brooks]

LMAO.

[Michael Clemson]

In Minnesota, it's not required to disclosure hauntings, deaths, etc.

[Account Closed]

Seems like a ghost would be able to travel through walls and haunt the people in the other unit too.  LOL

Noises can usually be explained by noisy pipes, furnace, etc. If I felt someone tapping me on the shoulder and no one was there, that would freak me out.

I seriously doubt there is a law requiring you to disclose hauntings.  :)

[Jeff G.]

Im anxiously waiting to see what direction this thread goes in.  Very interesting indeed.

If they firmly believe it is haunted why not have a pastor cleanse it?

[Mike F.]

Originally posted by @Wayne Brooks:

LMAO.

 LOL.

First toilet seat lids open or closed and now hauntings...

Don't feed the mugwai after midnight.

[Ryan Dossey]

"Great duplex in a fantastic neighborhood. Fresh remodel and quiet street. New furnace and Hvac. Great home for a first time home buyer. The ghost comes with the home. He is friendly unless you listen to country music. Then he tends to levitate the cat across the room. Great school districts and local parks. "

[Dennis Tierney]

@JeffGodbout; Does an exorcisim work for a haunting?

[Account Closed]

Actually you may joke about it but most real estate commissions require the disclosure of any religious solemn's  or paranormal activity believed to be associated with the property. 

Just call them and ask for the disclosure document.

[Account Closed]

Originally posted by @Account Closed:

Actually you may joke about it but most real estate commissions require the disclosure of any religious solemn's  or paranormal activity believed to be associated with the property. 

Just call them and ask for the disclosure document.

How about you post this disclosure of paranormal activity document.  How about you post any quote from any RE commission that requires disclosure of paranormal activity.

[Wayne Brooks]

@Account Closed 

I gotta call BS on that one.

[Bill Wallace]

Originally posted by @Michael Clemson:

In Minnesota, it's not required to disclosure hauntings, deaths, etc.

 Mostly true - but you are required to disclose murders that happened in the home in MN.

I had a listing once where the seller insisted house was haunted. I even helped her locate a resource to come exorcise it from home as she insisted it was the reason the house wasn't selling. It actually surprised me how many people provided this as a service.

[Dennis Tierney]

The friend that asked has been a commercial broker and investor for over 40 yrs. and she didn't know if she had to disclose it.

[Account Closed]

Originally posted by @Wayne Brooks:

@Account Closed 

I gotta call BS on that one.

I know.  Disclosing a murder at a property makes sense as it involves reporting a crime that took place at the property. But "paranormal" activity.  I'd like to any state RE commission language that uses the words paranormal.  Please.

[Account Closed]

@Account Closed 

I dont know why you dont believe me.... I would rather you call and ask them for the form. But here is a blank copy from one of my previous properties. Actually held up closing until we provided it.

[Jeff G.]

@Dennis Tierney  

"Does an exorcism work for a haunting?"

I may be a catholic but this is new territory for me. I think a cleansing of a house and exorcism is different.  Not sure thought.

[Mike F.]

Originally posted by @Account Closed:

Actually you may joke about it but most real estate commissions require the disclosure of any religious solemn's  or paranormal activity believed to be associated with the property. 

Just call them and ask for the disclosure document.

 I think there is a bigfoot specific form, as well as a leprechaun one too

[Account Closed]

 The stigmatized property disclosure rules vary in different areas

[Roman Pak]

There's an actual wiki article on this:

http://www.wikihow.com/Exorcise-Your-House-or-Dwel...

All kidding aside, my family was always into having a house blessed by a priest before moving in. I never understood it myself, but I guess they were protecting themselves from stuff like this. 

While not a very credible legal source LegalZoom seems to suggest disclosing stuff like this to avoid lawsuits. https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/ghoul-disclosur...

[Dawn Anastasi]

You'd only need to disclose a haunting if you were able to scientifically prove it.

[John White]

Most "stigmatized" properties do not have to be disclosed, unless someone specifically asks (i.e. "Was there ever a murder committed in this home"?).  I'm sure the rules vary from state to state, but generally speaking, you would only ever disclose things that you have real knowledge of (whether through your own observation or what someone has told you).  I'm not sure this would qualify, given this is really an operation of one's mind, and what a person believes.

[Rafael Norat]

Great stuff! I had a property under contract (look up the Port Colden Manor NJ). Beautiful property with tons of history. I remember contemplating whether or not to have a paranormal team run through during the inspection phase!

[Account Closed]

Look at us! 

actually we made 2 pages out of this ridiculousness. 

What did you do today honey? ohh just talked about if haunted houses should have a specific disclosure with people on the forums... you know, important stuff

[Sam T.]

This is a tough one! I would be afraid if I did disclose this information it would never rent out and then I may feel bad if I didn't disclose this and then the tenant had an experience that's a hard decision.  I personally believe something like this (haunting) is possible but many people simply do not believe in it and may not care. The other thing is did you or the owner personally experience anything? maybe the sounds the guys heard were the neighbor? maybe the lady who left in a hurry didn't like the place or maybe a #2 hit her and she had to run out Just sayin.. All kidding aside Good Luck with this one, Sam

[Warren Lanza]

She has hit the jackpot!.....If they can prove the haunting they can take home $1Million. 

Here is the website to earn the $1 Million.

http://web.randi.org/the-million-dollar-challenge....

This is just the beginning.  If they can prove a real paranormal experience they can write books, movies, TV appearances.  This is a goldmine. 

Or...it's just creaky pipes, floors and noisy HVAC units.

I'm sure it's ghosts though.

[Steve Osowicz]

If the ghosts are willing to pay market rent, there is no issue. The issue arises when they fail to pay, how to deliver the pay or quit notice (I think it has to be done via seance). Then having to process the eviction...er...I mean exorcism. Make sure to check your local laws to find out if you have a apparition or landlord friendly state. 

Good Luck!