Home Hardening Disclosure

As of January 1st , 2021, certain sellers are required to complete a new home hardening disclosure to disclose to buyer certain aspects of the property that may be particularly susceptible to wildfire risk.

The disclosure contains a general notice about home hardening and requires the seller to answer questions specifying which home hardening features the home lacks that make the home vulnerable to wildfire and flying embers based on the seller's actual knowledge.

To assist sellers and agents in complying with this new legal obligation, C.A.R. has created a new form entitled, "Home Fire Hardening Disclosure and Advisory" (C.A.R. Form HHDA).

Home Hardening – What is it?

"Home hardening" refers to building resistant materials and home features that protect a home from catching fire. Flying embers can destroy a home up to a mile ahead of a wildfire. This is why the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) urges all homeowners within fire hazard zones to make needed home hardening retrofits. For more information, please visit

New Disclosure Requirement: A Seller must provide Form HHDA if:

• The property was constructed prior to 2010

• The property is located in a high or very high fire hazard severity zone

• The property is a Residential 1-4 Unit Property (including condominium units and manufactured homes)