# Saint Paul TISH Evaluation: A Seller

> What Saint Paul

URL: https://webuyhousesinsaintpaul.com/guide/saint-paul-truth-in-sale-of-housing-guide/
Last-Modified: 2026-10-05
Tags: saint paul truth in sale of housing, tish evaluation saint paul, tish report st paul, saint paul tish as is sale

Seller Guide

# Saint Paul Truth-in-Sale of Housing: A Seller's Starting Guide

What Saint Paul's Truth-in-Sale of Housing evaluation is, who orders it, and whether listed items must be fixed in an as-is sale.

Updated October 5, 2026 6 min read Reviewed by 

Ryan Quade

[/about/ryan-quade/ →](/about/ryan-quade/)

![Evaluator with a clipboard on the porch of an older Saint Paul house](/images/featured/evaluator-with-clipboard-on-the-porch-of-an-older-.webp)

## What Is Saint Paul’s Truth-in-Sale of Housing Evaluation?

We often see sellers get caught off guard by the mandatory Saint Paul Truth-in-Sale of Housing evaluation. You must complete this city program to evaluate most one- and two-unit homes before marketing them to the public.

Saint Paul rules dictate that this report must be available within three calendar days of listing your property.

![Home evaluation checklist on a kitchen counter beside house keys](/images/content/close-up-of-a-home-evaluation-checklist-on-a-kitch.webp)

Our team recommends viewing this step as a straightforward disclosure rather than a pass-fail test. Transparency helps buyers get a consistent look at major systems and safety items before they write an offer.

The evaluation applies whether you list with a real estate agent or explore a private route. We always point sellers to the 

We Buy Houses in Saint Paul homepage

[/ →](/)

 to see how this report fits into a quick, as-is offer.

> **Check the current rules first**  
> TISH requirements, fees, exemptions and validity periods are set by the city and can change. Treat this guide as a starting point and confirm the details on the DSI website before you order an evaluation.

The Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI), located at 375 Jackson Street, manages the entire program. Check the DSI website for the current list of licensed evaluators, as the city does not assign them for you.

Our staff reminds clients that a completed TISH report remains valid for 365 consecutive days or one completed sale.

## Who Orders the Evaluation, and What Does It Cover?

We want to clarify that the seller orders and pays for the evaluation from a private, city-licensed TISH evaluator. Expect to pay between $250 and $325 for a standard single-family home evaluation in Saint Paul. The visual inspection takes about 90 minutes to complete.

Our past clients often confuse this process with a full, invasive home inspection. Evaluators simply perform a surface-level review of the property without opening walls or digging into foundations.

You must provide clear access to the whole house, including the basement, attic access, and any detached garages. We tell sellers to anticipate a review of these core areas:

-   Structure, roof, foundation, and exterior elements
-   Heating systems, boilers, and proper venting
-   Electrical service panels and visible wiring
-   Plumbing lines, water heaters, and drainage
-   Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, and life-safety items
-   Windows, doors, stairs, and handrail securement

Review the final report to see how the inspector scored each component. The city requires specific ratings for each item, such as Hazardous, Below Minimum Requirements, or Meets Minimum Requirements.

Our team created this quick reference guide to show why certain issues frequently appear on reports for aging properties.

| Common TISH Topic | Why It Comes Up in Older Saint Paul Homes | The Practical Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Electrical | Older panels, ungrounded outlets, knob-and-tube wiring | Evaluators check for exposed splices or missing junction box covers. |
| Heating | Aging boilers and furnaces, venting and clearances | Unserviced boilers often lack proper clearance from combustible materials. |
| Smoke and CO alarms | Missing or wrongly placed alarms | Chapter 58 of the local code regulates specific detector placement. |
| Plumbing | Galvanized lines, water heater venting and relief valves | Old galvanized pipes restrict water flow and corrode internally. |
| Stairs and railings | Missing handrails or loose treads | Simply tightening loose handrail brackets can improve this score. |

## Do Listed Items Have to Be Fixed in an As-Is Sale?

![Basement boiler and electrical panel being inspected](/images/content/older-saint-paul-basement-with-a-boiler-and-electr.webp)

We answer this specific question almost every day, and the truth depends entirely on the item in question. The city of Saint Paul runs a disclosure-only program, meaning most flagged items require no mandatory repairs.

This report simply tells buyers what exists so they can price the property accurately.

Our most important piece of advice involves the strict rules around fire safety. The Saint Paul Fire Marshal mandates the installation of an operational, 120-volt hard-wired smoke detector in single-family dwellings. Hire a licensed electrical contractor to pull a permit and install this specific alarm if your home lacks one.

### Managing Repairs During Negotiation

We have seen transactions delayed because sellers ignored a Hazardous rating for missing smoke alarms. The city gives you 60 days to correct this specific deficiency after sending a formal notice.

Selling a house in its current condition does not erase this strict municipal requirement. Our team recommends reading the guide on 

what still needs to happen in an as-is sale

[/guide/selling-house-as-is-what-still-needs-to-happen/ →](/guide/selling-house-as-is-what-still-needs-to-happen/)

 to understand how closing costs shift.

A written offer dictates whether the buyer assumes the repair work or if it affects the final purchase price. Keep communication open with your buyer to clarify who takes responsibility for pulling necessary permits.

## How Does the TISH Report Differ From a Buyer’s Inspection?

We always remind homeowners that a TISH evaluation and a private buyer’s inspection serve completely different purposes. The city requires the TISH evaluation to follow a rigid, standardized format for public disclosure.

An optional home inspection provides a much deeper, detailed assessment of the property on behalf of the buyer.

Our buyers typically review the city documentation first before scheduling their own professionals. Standard city evaluators do not perform invasive tests, so buyers often hire specialists for:

-   Sewer lateral camera scopes to check aging clay pipes
-   Radon testing in basement spaces
-   Structural engineering assessments for foundation cracks

You should anticipate these secondary inspections once a buyer reviews the initial city paperwork.

We must stress that a city report does not grant you a free pass on state disclosure laws. Minnesota regulations dictate that sellers still must provide a separate, comprehensive seller disclosure statement.

Disclose any material facts you know about the property, even if the evaluator missed them during the walk-through.

## What’s a Practical Order of Steps?

We suggest following a specific sequence to prevent delays when bringing your property to market. A proactive approach saves money and eliminates stress during the negotiation phase.

Follow this exact checklist to keep your sale moving forward.

1.  **Read the DSI TISH page:** Check for current exemptions. A valid Certificate of Code Compliance can sometimes replace a new evaluation entirely.
2.  **Hire a licensed evaluator:** Book your appointment early. You can find the official list of approved contractors directly through the city website.
3.  **Review the findings:** Look closely for any items marked as Hazardous. City code requires you to fix missing hard-wired smoke detectors to comply with Chapter 58.
4.  **Gather contractor estimates:** Get real numbers for any major defects. An electrician will need to pull a permit for the mandatory smoke alarm installation.
5.  **Compare your options:** Run the numbers to decide between fixing the house or selling it in its current state. The 
    
    repair first or sell as-is worksheet
    
    [/guide/repair-first-or-sell-as-is-worksheet/ →](/guide/repair-first-or-sell-as-is-worksheet/)
    
     makes this math simple.

We review these completed reports with sellers every single week to identify the best path forward. Sharing your document with Ryan provides clarity on how specific defects impact a cash offer.

A direct conversation reveals exactly how listed items are handled in a written purchase agreement. Our guide to 

purchase agreement costs and responsibilities

[/guide/purchase-agreement-costs-and-responsibilities/ →](/guide/purchase-agreement-costs-and-responsibilities/)

 shows where those terms usually appear.

Our team encourages you to reach out once you have your Saint Paul Truth-in-Sale of Housing evaluation in hand. Go ahead and 

contact Ryan

[/contact-us/ →](/contact-us/)

 with your property address and the attached report to start the conversation.

This guide is general information for Saint Paul and Minnesota sellers, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change, so confirm current requirements with the official source or a qualified professional.

Frequently Asked

## Quick Answers

### Do I need a TISH evaluation to sell my Saint Paul house?

Generally yes for most one- and two-unit homes before they are marketed for sale. There are exemptions, so confirm current rules with the Saint Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI).

### Do I have to fix items on the TISH report?

The report mainly discloses conditions to buyers. Whether specific items must be corrected depends on the type of hazard and current city rules, so check DSI guidance. In an as-is sale, the written terms say how listed items are handled.

### How long is a TISH report valid?

The city sets a limited validity period for each report. Check the current DSI rule before you order one so it doesn't expire before you sell.

### Who pays for the TISH evaluation?

Usually the seller, because the evaluation is a seller's responsibility before marketing. The purchase agreement can address costs, so read it carefully.

Still have a question about your property?

Ask Ryan directly. There is no obligation and no pressure to decide.

Talk With Ryan

[/contact-us/ →](/contact-us/)

Exploring an as-is sale?

See how a property-specific evaluation and a written offer outline work, with Ryan Quade as your single point of contact.

Talk with Ryan about your property

[/contact-us/ →](/contact-us/)