(The Center Square) – Thurston County residents trying to sell a home in unincorporated areas will have to obtain a Home Energy Score (HES) before listing the property for sale, according to an ordinance approved this week.
Supporters say it’s about encouraging people to make energy efficiency and energy costs transparent to residents and the real estate market, as their Climate Mitigation Plan promotes, according to the county website. The ordinance does not require homeowners to make upgrades and does not change property tax assessments.
But realtors and builders opposed to the ordinance argue requiring a home seller to pay someone to come and give a score on how energy efficient the home is, is burdensome. They contend the county may not have the legal authority to impose such a requirement.
“I can assure you that nobody on the board of county commissioners has any actual real estate experience. You may have bought a home, but you know nothing about the process of the selling of a home,” said Realtor Jon Pettit during Tuesday’s commissioners hearing. “You need to be representing the people that are here. The people that own property. You need to give it some thought, get some experience in from the people that are in the business of helping people get housing.”
His testimony was followed by a woman in support of the ordinance who suggested without radical climate policies, the planet is doomed.
“I usually try to avoid being grim, but apparently it is necessary to point out that scientists currently state that the protectory we are on will lead to an incompatibility with life on this planet,” said Lynn-Fitz-Hugh, executive director of Restoring Earth Connection. “That anyone born this month will not live out their natural lifespan.”
Jessie Simmons is the government affairs director for Olympia Master Builders and told The Center Square in a Thursday interview there are real questions about whether Thurston County has authority to implement a requirement like this, as Washington law already governs seller disclosures.
“Most people would have to go ahead and make those improvements, but it costs $35,000 to $40,000 to bring your home up to par to compare to some of the newer housing and so it’s really a detriment to the older housing,” Simmons said.
He suggested most home owners would not comply but would then have to make some concessions to the buyer.
“So they’re going to end up in a worse spot when they move,” he said. “When they end up selling, they’re not going to have the full benefit of making that income so they can improve their situation wherever they move to.”
Rep. Dan Griffey, R-Allyn, represents a district that includes part of Thurston County.
This is a pile on for a county known for already having some of the most burdensome regulations, he told The Center Square.
“Thurston County happens to be the worst when it comes to land development regulations,” he said. “So, when you’re selling a home, the homeowner has the obligation to provide all of the pertinent facts that you have to list for mandatory disclosure. It’s a buyer beware system. They’re just trying to force a narrative. It’s going to have a chilling effect on the sale and the price of housing. And the burden is going to be born again by those that have the least ability to accept that new financial burden.”
The Center Square reached out to the Thurston County Commissioners office for comment but received no response.
Commission member Wayne Fournier abstained in the final vote, citing concerns about potential legal and operational challenges.
“Being the first is cool, but being the first is dangerous,” Fournier said. “If there wasn’t so much public outcry, I might be more inclined to roll the dice.”Other people testifying raised concerns about the cost of the energy assessment, which could top $350 or more.Thurston County is not the only jurisdiction considering such an ordinance.The Olympia City Council is scheduled to vote on adoption March 24, with implementation as early as May. Tumwater and Lacey are also considering similar rules.
