Before an applicable Massachusetts residential property is sold or transferred, what fire-safety documentation is generally...

The correct answer is A. Massachusetts requires a certificate of compliance from the local fire department showing that required smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms meet applicable standards when an affected home is sold or transferred.

The property ' s age and renovation history can affect which alarm configuration is required, so owners should determine the building ' s construction history and coordinate an inspection with the local fire department before closing.

The certificate concerns fire and carbon-monoxide safety, not title quality, property value, or sewage disposal. Title 5 is a separate environmental requirement applicable to properties served by qualifying on-site septic systems.

This is a Massachusetts-specific closing requirement. Brokers should help ensure clients understand that an inspection may need to be scheduled after the closing date has been established, but they should not certify alarm compliance themselves.

Study Guide Reference: Practice of Real Estate — Massachusetts Smoke and Carbon-Monoxide Alarm Requirements.