For Owners of a Single-Family (Residential) Home

Ordinance Summary

• A single-family home has from one to four dwelling units.
• If the home is 10 years old or older, the owner needs to have an energy audit before selling it.
• The owner needs to give prospective buyers a copy of the energy audit before the time of sale.
• The owner needs to provide a copy of the energy audit to Austin Energy no later than 30 days after the audit is complete.

Exemptions for Single-Family Homes

• The single-family home was constructed fewer than 10 years before the time of sale.
• Owners of the home participated in the Austin Energy Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® offering or an equivalent Austin Energy offering fewer than 10 years before the time of sale and either performed at least three energy efficiency measures or received a rebate of $500 or more.
• Owners of the home participated in the Austin Energy Free Weatherization offering or an equivalent Austin Energy offering fewer than 10 years before the time of sale.
• The purchaser of the home qualifies for and has signed an agreement with Austin Energy to participate in the Free Weatherization offering or an equivalent Austin Energy offering no later than six months after the sale.
• The home is manufactured housing built on a permanent chassis and designed to be used without a permanent foundation.

The ordinance does not apply to transfers of real residential property due to the following:

• Through a foreclosure sale, trustee's sale, or a deed in lieu of foreclosure.
• Through a pre-foreclosure sale, where the seller has reached an agreement with the mortgage holder to sell the property for an amount less than the amount owed on the mortgage.
• Through the exercise of or threat of eminent domain.
• From one family member to another family member without consideration.
• Under a court order or probate proceedings.
• Under a decree of legal separation or dissolution of marriage or property settlement agreement incidental to such a decree.

Be sure to see Variances and Enforcement for information that applies to all property types.