What Is a TISH Inspection in Minneapolis? What Sellers Need to Know

If you're selling a home in Minneapolis, there's one requirement that surprises many sellers: before you can close, you need a Truth in Sale of Housing (TISH) evaluation. It's not optional. It's a city ordinance, and without it, your sale can't go through.

The good news is that a TISH inspection isn't as scary as it sounds. Here's everything you need to know — what it covers, what it costs, what happens if your home doesn't pass, and how it affects a cash sale.

What Is a TISH Evaluation?

TISH stands for Truth in Sale of Housing. It's a disclosure report required by the City of Minneapolis for the sale of most residential properties (1–4 units). The evaluation is conducted by a city-licensed TISH evaluator and produces a report that discloses the condition of key components of the home.

The TISH report must be provided to the buyer before closing. It's the seller's responsibility to order and pay for the evaluation. The report is valid for 1 year from the date of the evaluation.

Important distinction: a TISH evaluation is NOT the same as a home inspection. A buyer's home inspection is optional and much more detailed. The TISH is a standardized city disclosure — it reports conditions but doesn't require you to fix anything.

What Does the TISH Evaluation Cover?

The TISH evaluator examines and reports on the following areas:

• Foundation and structural components

• Exterior walls, siding, and trim

• Roof condition and estimated remaining life

• Windows and doors

• Electrical system (service panel, wiring type, GFCI protection)

• Plumbing system (water heater, supply lines, waste lines)

• Heating and cooling systems

• Interior condition (walls, ceilings, floors)

• Garage condition (if applicable)

• Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors

• Presence of hazardous materials (lead paint, asbestos, radon)

The evaluator rates each area and notes any issues. The report is a disclosure document — it tells the buyer what's there, but it does not require the seller to make repairs.

How Much Does a TISH Evaluation Cost?

A TISH evaluation in Minneapolis typically costs between $150 and $350, depending on the evaluator and the size of the property. It's a relatively small expense compared to the overall cost of selling a home.

You can find a list of licensed TISH evaluators on the City of Minneapolis website. The seller is responsible for ordering and paying for the evaluation, though in some transactions (especially cash sales), the buyer may agree to cover this cost.

Who Needs a TISH Evaluation?

A TISH evaluation is required for the sale of most 1–4 unit residential properties within Minneapolis city limits. There are a few exemptions:

• New construction that hasn't been previously occupied

• Foreclosure sales by a financial institution (though the buyer may still want one)

• Properties sold at tax forfeiture sales

• Transfers between family members in some cases

If you're selling a home in St. Paul, Bloomington, or other suburbs, you don't need a TISH — this is a Minneapolis-specific requirement. However, some other Minnesota cities have their own point-of-sale inspection requirements.

Can You "Fail" a TISH Evaluation?

No. This is the most important thing to understand about TISH: you cannot fail it. The evaluation is a disclosure, not a pass/fail inspection. The evaluator reports on what they find, and that report is given to the buyer. There is no requirement to fix anything before selling.

That said, the TISH report will influence how buyers perceive your property. If the report reveals significant issues (like knob-and-tube wiring, a failing foundation, or active water intrusion), buyers will factor that into their offers. In a traditional sale, it could lead to price renegotiation or lost deals. In a cash sale, the buyer already expects to handle these issues.

TISH and Smoke/CO Detector Requirements

One area where there IS a requirement: Minneapolis requires working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors at the time of sale. The TISH evaluator will check for these. If they're missing or not working, you'll need to install them before closing. This is a low-cost fix — smoke detectors are $10–20 each, and CO detectors are $20–40.

How TISH Works in a Cash Sale

When you sell to a cash buyer like New Chapter Home Relief Solutions, the TISH process is straightforward. We're experienced with Minneapolis TISH requirements and can help coordinate the evaluation. Here's how it typically works:

1. We make you a cash offer based on the property's condition. 2. Once you accept, we help schedule the TISH evaluation (or you can order one yourself). 3. The evaluator conducts the evaluation (usually takes 1–2 hours). 4. The TISH report is provided to us as the buyer. 5. We proceed to closing — no renegotiation based on TISH findings because we already factored the property's condition into our offer.

This is one of the biggest advantages of selling to a cash buyer in Minneapolis. In a traditional sale, the TISH report can trigger a new round of negotiations. In a cash sale, the deal is already priced for the property's current condition.

Tips for Your TISH Evaluation

• Make sure all areas of the home are accessible (basement, attic, garage, utility rooms)

• Install working smoke and CO detectors on every level and near bedrooms

• Don't stress about cosmetic issues — the TISH is about systems and safety, not aesthetics

• Schedule it early in the selling process so it doesn't delay closing

Selling Your Minneapolis Home? We Can Help with TISH

At New Chapter Home Relief Solutions, we buy homes in Minneapolis in any condition — and we're very familiar with the TISH process. We can help coordinate your evaluation, and we never use TISH findings to lower our offer after the fact. The price we quote is the price you get.

Call us at (763) 341-9708 or fill out the form on our website for a free cash offer. We'll handle the TISH logistics so you don't have to worry about it.