Whether you’re buying or already own, it’s normal to want to find out if someone died in a house. Although you might be worried about ghosts, blood and bodily fluids pose a bigger risk to your family. If an unattended death or tragic event wasn’t properly cleaned up, it could expose you to diseases and other health risks. We look at how to find out if someone died in a house. Plus, we offer tips on what to do if you need biohazard cleanup in your home.
Ways To Find Out If Someone Died In A House
If you’re concerned about whether someone has died in a house, there are several easy ways to find out. In most cases, you can find out for free or with a small fee for public records. A home inspection usually costs between $200 and $500 depending on where in the country you are.
- Ask The Neighbors – The neighbors can usually share some details about the previous residents or owns.
- Search For The Address – Search the internet for obituaries, news reports, and other records of deaths or violent crimes.
- Check Public Records – Contact your public records office to see if there are any reports or notices about a death.
- Read The Disclosure Form – If you’re buying a home, read the disclosure form and look for red flags like recent remodeling or cleanup.
- Ask The Real Estate Agent – Although they aren’t required to disclose a death in the home, most agents will answer honestly.
- Have A Home Inspection – Hire a home inspector to investigate the home. While they might not confirm a death, they will usually find biohazard risks.
There are several websites that claim to tell you if someone died in your home for between $10 and $20. While it may seem like a cheap investment, these sites usually aren’t that accurate.
These use automated computer searches to access the same sites you can for free. There is also no guarantee the information they find is accurate, so use them at your own risk.
What To Do If You’re Concerned About Blood, Diseases And Other Biohazards
Blood, bodily fluids, and other biohazards may carry diseases and other health risks. After an unattended death or traumatic event, it’s important to properly clean up the scene to eliminate the risk from those biohazards.
Steps To Take If You Are Buying A House
If you’re buying a home but are concerned about biohazards, there are several things you can do to determine if a death was properly cleaned up. Signs of a recent death may include stains, smells, and hasty remodeling.
Start by reading the home listing and seller’s disclosure form. The listing will often include details about remodeling. Although the seller doesn’t need to mention a death, the disclosure form can give insight to sudden changes.
Then ask the real estate agent. You may want to start with some leading questions about stains, smells or remodeling. If you’re really concerned, it’s fine to just get right to the point.
Finally, have a home inspection. The home inspector works for you, so talk to them about your concerns. If there is something to be worried about, it’s likely they will spot it.
Steps To Take If You Are Concerned About Your Home
If you already bought your home or have lived in it a while, there are still things you can do. However, the burden will usually fall on you to hire a biohazard cleanup company if there is a risk.
Talk with your neighbors about the previous residents. Depending on your relationship with them, you might be able to ask direct questions. In other cases, you may need to ask leading questions.
Also, search for your address and the former owners’ name. If there was a serious crime or traumatic death, there is probably a news story about it. Check obituaries too, as they sometimes include details about how they died.
Another option is to review public records. This takes a little more time and effort, they can provide a wealth of knowledge. Some records offices may charge a small to review or get copies of documents.
What To Do If You Find Out Someone Died In A Home
Whether you’re buying a home or already own it, there are things you can do if you discover that someone died in the house. The biggest concern is whether the biohazards were properly cleaned up.
When buying a house, you should have your agent approach their agent with your concerns immediately. Ask for records and receipts of proper biohazard removal. If they cannot provide them, you have options.
You can either pull out of the same or require that they have the scene properly cleaned before you purchase the home. In this situation, they sell will usually pay for biohazard cleanup. However, they may ask to renegotiate the price.
If you already own the home, you need to hire a cleanup company yourself in most cases. Your homeowners’ insurance policy may cover cleanup and repair costs, but it depends.
Typically, you won’t have legal grounds against the previous owner except in a few cases. They include if you were intentionally misled about the situation or if they tried to cover up a crime.
Get Safe, Reliable Biohazard Cleanup Services
If you need biohazard cleanup after someone died in a house, Restoration Local is here to help. Call 1-888-443-3110 for a free estimate and immediate biohazard cleanup services from a qualified contractor near you.
