If you live in DeKalb County and have a house built before 1993, I hope you've been following the news about the recent legislation that has just been passed about "Low-Flow Toilets." In response to the drought, the DeKalb County commissioners office and CEO Vernon Jones passed the "Inefficient plumbing fixtures replacement plan," which will affect home sellers to who's property was built before 1993.
Under this new legislation sellers will be forced to spend more money replacing their toilets, facets and other fixtures to more water conserving units in order to be in compliance. Currently there are 4,577 properties (single family homes, condos/townhouses) built before 1993 advertised for sale on Georgia MLS. Starting in June, home buyers who purchase homes built prior to 1993 will find that the DeKalb Water Department will NOT hook up their water service unless they have proof that they have a new "low-flow" toilet. For sellers because of disclosure, your toilets will need to be addressed.
In efforts to offset the costs of replacing the toilets, The Department of Watershed Management offers a Toilet Retrofit Rebate. There are two options, first is a $50 rebate for 1.6 gallons per flush toilet and secondly there's a $100 rebate for 1.28 gallons per flush toilet. To receive the rebate the toilets must be on their approved list. For more details about the rebate and requirements go to http://www.dekalbwatershed.com/index.html
As a Full-Time Realtor® working in DeKalb County, I take this news in stride. As my sellers face home depreciation and economic woes, this is another jagged little pill we'll need to digest. If you're facing or have faced this situation please share your comments or advice.
Katherine Basden,Broker
Phase 7 Realty, LLC
Phone: 404.399.8155
I LOVE My Career! I am very passionate about assisting & educating my Buyer/Seller clients. A personal touch, excitement & experience is what I bring to the table. See more at www.phase7realty.com.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2008 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
Your most welcome. I'll definitely keep you posted on what's going on around town.
Katherine
Here's a link to the forms to address the plumbling issue: http://www.garealtor.com/Newsstand/tabid/61/ctl/Detail/mid/567/ItemID/36/Default.aspx?SkinSrc=%5bL%5dSkins%2fGAR%2fAnnouncementsTemplate
You'll have to log in. If that link does not work go to www.garealtor.com.
From my understanding regardless of the listing date homes will have to comply. Also, some areas are exempt-you'll see that on the website as well. Should Dunwoody annexes they may wind up being exempt as well.
hope this helps
We replaced all of our toilets, sent in the rebate forms, and we're STILL WAITING for our rebate.
You have to send in the original receipt with the forms, so make sure you make a copy of the original forms and when it gets to be 60 days and you still haven't seen your money, prepare to start making phone calls (and probably like me, get nowhere fast)