Selling a Home in Westland? Here’s What You Need to Know About the City’s Home Sale or Transfer Certification

WESTLAND, MI - If you are selling or transferring a home in Westland, there is a city certification process that property owners and purchasers need to be aware of before the transaction is completed.

The City of Westland’s Planning & Building Department requires a Home Sale or Transfer Certification Application for properties being sold or transferred. The application includes a certification fee based on the type of building, along with additional inspection requirements for certain features of the home.

What does the certification cost?

The city’s application lists the following certification fees:

Type of Building Certification Fee

Single Family-$250

Duplex- $475

Multi-Family-$900

The application allows either the seller or purchaser to apply. However, purchasers must submit a hard copy of the signed purchasing agreement with the application.

These fees are separate from other potential costs associated with preparing a property for sale, including required inspections or repairs.

What information is required?

The application asks for basic information about the property and the people involved in the transaction.

Property owners are asked to provide:

  • Property address

  • Property owner's name

  • Owner's mailing address, if different from the property

  • Phone number

  • Email address

  • Signature and date

The application also contains a section for a Realtor or estate representative. Authorization documentation is required when a representative is submitting information on behalf of the property owner.

That section requests the representative's name, address, city, state, ZIP code, phone number, email address, signature and date.

Furnace certification is required

One of the most important requirements for homeowners preparing to sell is the city's furnace certification.

According to the application, a furnace certification:

  • Is required by the City of Westland.

  • Must be completed using the City of Westland form.

  • Must be performed by a licensed mechanical contractor.

  • The mechanical contractor must be registered with the City of Westland.

That means homeowners should not assume that any furnace inspection or service record will satisfy the city's requirement. The certification must meet the city's specific requirements.

Have a fireplace? There’s another inspection.

Homes with fireplaces have an additional requirement.

The city states that a fireplace safety inspection report is required when a fireplace is present in the home.

That inspection must be:

Performed and submitted by a licensed chimney contractor.

For homeowners selling a property with a fireplace, this is another item that should be addressed early in the sales process rather than waiting until the transaction is close to closing.

What should Westland homeowners do before listing?

If you're preparing to sell your home, it may be worth getting ahead of the certification process.

A good starting checklist is:

1. Determine your building type.
Confirm whether the property is a single-family home, duplex or multi-family property so you know the applicable certification fee.

2. Get the furnace certification.
Make sure the contractor performing the certification is licensed as a mechanical contractor and registered with the City of Westland.

3. Check for a fireplace.
If the property has a fireplace, arrange for the required safety inspection with a licensed chimney contractor.

4. Gather your property information.
Have the property owner's contact information and property details ready for the application.

5. If you're using a Realtor or estate representative, prepare authorization documentation.

6. If you're the purchaser applying for the certification, have a hard copy of the signed purchase agreement available.

Taking care of these items early can help prevent an unexpected delay during the home-sale process.

Where to contact the city

The City of Westland Planning & Building Department lists the following contact information for questions regarding the application:

Planning & Building Department
36300 Warren Rd
Westland, MI 48185
Phone: 734-467-3210
Planning: [email protected]
Building: [email protected]

Because requirements and fees can change, homeowners should confirm the current requirements with the City of Westland before scheduling inspections or submitting an application.

The bottom line

For Westland homeowners, selling a home involves more than finding a buyer and signing a purchase agreement. The city's Home Sale or Transfer Certification process can include a $250, $475 or $900 certification fee, depending on the type of property, along with required furnace certification and, when applicable, a fireplace safety inspection.

Voice of Westland will continue looking at the costs, requirements and city processes that affect homeowners and residents - because knowing what you're being charged for is an important part of understanding your community.

Information in this article is based on the City of Westland Home Sale or Transfer Certification Application provided to Voice of Westland. Requirements should be confirmed directly with the city's Planning & Building Department before beginning a sale or transfer.