New Law Addresses Accessibility in New Homes

A new law passed last year will have positive impacts on the quality of life for older adults residing in your community.  Act 115, Disclosure of Compliance with Accessibility Standards, requires newly developed single and multi-family units meet accessibility standards at the time of sale.  It requires the seller of new residential construction to provide written disclosure to a prospective buyer detailing whether the residential construction is in compliance with accessibility standards.

Inclusive, accessible communities are critical to our state’s economic prosperity.  In the next 15 years, the number of adults age 65 and older will represent a quarter of our state’s population.  Many of these people are expected to reject high-priced institutional care and instead, continue to live in their home, even if they have one or more disabilities. The degree to which they can participate in community life will be determined, in part, by how well their physical environment accommodates them.  AARP Vermont and other organizations lobbied for passage of Act 115 as it supports successful aging-in-place by enhancing functionality and safety of newly constructed homes.

Below is an approved form, Disclosure of Compliance, that is required to be used at the time of sale and a copy of Act 115.

Act115_Disclosure of Accessibility Standards