What’s on the Virginia Seller Disclosure Form?
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Joseph Gordon EditorJoseph Gordon is an Editor with HomeLight. He has several years of experience reporting on the commercial real estate and insurance industries.
You know your Virginia home better than anyone, which means you’re familiar with every nook and cranny. If you’re planning to sell your home, you may be wondering how much you need to reveal on the Virginia seller disclosure form, officially known as the Residential Property Disclosure Statement.
Disclosure forms like this provide potential buyers with a clearer picture of a property’s condition and history, enabling them to make a more informed decision. However, they can also protect you if there is an issue with the property’s condition.
In this post, we’ll tell you what to expect, how much detail to provide, and what could go wrong if you leave something out. We’ll also offer a downloadable Disclosure Litmus Test to help you identify any red flags.
What is the Virginia seller disclosure form?
The Virginia seller disclosure form, or Residential Property Disclosure Statement, is a document developed by the Virginia Real Estate Board. It’s designed to help you disclose any known issues or facts about your home that could hurt its value or a buyer’s decision to continue with the transaction.
Virginia law requires sellers to disclose all material facts — in other words, anything that could impact the buyer’s use or enjoyment of the property. The Residential Property Disclosure Statement form serves as a guide to help you complete this process thoroughly. It covers everything from structural issues and past repairs to neighborhood conditions and HOA rules.
Note: Even if you’re selling a home “as is” in Virginia, you’re still required to be truthful and transparent about what you know.
What’s included in the Virginia seller disclosure form?
Below is a section-by-section summary of what you’ll be asked to disclose when selling a home in Virginia. This list should give you a good idea of what to expect on your disclosure form; however, please note that it is just an example and not intended to be a comprehensive list.
Property condition and inspections
☐ No warranties or representations about the condition of the home or improvements
☐ Buyers are encouraged to obtain inspections, mold assessments, and energy analyses
Lot lines, zoning, and adjacent properties
☐ Current lot lines or the ability to expand or add structures
☐ Zoning or permitted uses of neighboring parcels
Historic districts and land use restrictions
☐ Whether or not historic district ordinances apply
☐ Buyers are advised to review local maps and ordinances
Environmental and land protection areas
☐ Resource protection areas under the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act
☐ Marine clays (marumsco soils)
Public safety and location-based notices
☐ Dam break inundation zones
☐ Special flood hazard areas
Utilities, systems, and infrastructure
☐ Presence or condition of wastewater or septic systems
☐ Solar energy collection device rights
☐ Conservation or other easements
☐ Community development authority districts
Health-related disclosures
☐ Radon zone classification
☐ Defective drywall
☐ Lead pipes or plumbing materials
Dams and impounding structures
☐ Condition or regulatory status of dams or impounding structures
Additional written disclosures that may apply
☐ First sale of a newly built dwelling
☐ Properties in Planning District 15 (mining activity)
☐ Homes near military air installations
☐ Pending building or zoning violations
☐ Lis pendens (lawsuit pending) filings
☐ Prior methamphetamine manufacturing
☐ Privately owned stormwater management facilities
☐ Septic system operating permits
Additional explanations
This is a freeform space to clarify any earlier answers or provide details that didn’t fit elsewhere. If you marked “yes” to something earlier in the form, this is your opportunity to provide a detailed explanation.
Download and print our Disclosure Litmus Test
Use this link to download a printable checklist (62KB) to prepare for completing the Virginia seller disclosure form. The questions on this Seller Disclosure Litmus Test reflect the types of details and issues you may need to reveal about your home — and what buyers expect to know.
Check off anything that applies to your Virginia property. If you’re unsure about something, make a note to ask your real estate agent or investigate further. The goal is to help you think through what needs to be documented and disclosed during the sale process.
What is not required to be disclosed? Virginia law does not require you to disclose if someone died in the home, if a previous occupant had HIV or AIDS, or felony activity, unless the property was involved in the use of illegal drug manufacturing.
You’re also not obligated to disclose neighborhood rumors, alleged paranormal activity, or personal reasons for selling, unless you are directly asked and your answer could be misleading.
Common mistakes sellers make on the disclosure form
Here are some of the most common missteps sellers make when filling out the Virginia Residential Property Disclosure Statement:
- Checking “yes” without providing an explanation: If you check a yes box that includes an “Explain” line, not providing the details could stall your home sale.
- Guessing instead of explaining: If you’re not sure about something, don’t make assumptions — just state that you don’t know or add an explanation.
- Failing to attach supporting documents: Inspection reports, permits, repair invoices, and warranties help verify your disclosures.
- Not disclosing repaired issues: Even if you’ve fixed a problem listed on the form, like a roof leak or plumbing issue, it still needs to be reported.
- Minimizing or softening the truth: Downplaying a defect can open you up to legal risk if the buyer later discovers the issue was worse than described.
What if you fail to disclose something important?
If you fail to disclose a known material fact about your Virginia home, the buyer may have grounds to cancel the contract or sue you after the sale. In some cases, nondisclosure can be considered fraud under Virginia law, particularly if the omission appears intentional. Being upfront early in the process can help keep it from stalling out later due to complications.
When and how buyers review the disclosure
Under Virginia’s standard purchase contract, you’re expected to provide a completed Residential Property Disclosure Statement prior to ratification. The buyer then has a set review period, typically three to five days, to examine the form and decide whether to proceed, request repairs, or cancel the deal.
Partner with a top Virginia agent to protect your sale
Disclosing your home’s condition is one of the most important — and legally sensitive — parts of the selling process in Virginia. A top local agent can help you understand what’s required, avoid common pitfalls, and provide expert guidance so you can complete the Residential Property Disclosure Statement accurately and confidently.
Unsure where to start? HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform connects you with trusted real estate agents in your Virginia market. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your goals and selling timeline.
See the top real estate agents in 10 Virginia markets:
- Top real estate agents in Virginia Beach
- Top real estate agents in Chesapeake
- Top real estate agents in Norfolk
- Top real estate agents in Richmond
- Top real estate agents in Newport News
- Top real estate agents in Alexandria
- Top real estate agents in Hampton
- Top real estate agents in Roanoke
- Top real estate agents in Portsmouth
- Top real estate agents in Suffolk
If you’re buying and selling at the same time, check out HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell program, which can streamline the entire process so you only move once. Watch this short video to see how it works.
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