Out of area – usually outside of Los Angeles City – real estate agents are sometimes bewildered on what to do with the city of Los Angeles retrofit certificate. Here is a simple break down of what is needed for compliance.
The City of LA has a laundry list of items that are mandated to be installed when selling in the city of Los Angeles, here is that list.
First, hire a retrofitter to inspect the property for any RPA required seller side requirements. Here is a list of those mandatory items. These requirements apply for all residential and commercial properties transfers.
Second, after the retrofit inspection is complete, the retrofitter will email the escrow officer and the ordering agent a breakdown of the compliant items with an invoice. They will also send escrow the filled out LADWP certificate of compliance, also called the COC. A copy of the LADWP COC is located below.
Note: The LADWP certificate (located below) ONLY certifies the low flow water devices are present at the property. It does not apply to any other of the items mentioned on the list. The LADWP certificate is part of the retrofit inspection process, not the entirety of it.
Certification of items other than the city of Los Angeles low flow items (ie smoke detectors, etc) are usually itemized on the retrofitters invoice or separate certificate. There is no formal certificate that certifies that these items are compliant since each retrofit company has their own format or form.
Escrow will send a check (typically $15) with the original signed LADWP COC form to the LADWP at the address listed on the form in the lower right. Escrow has up to 15 days after the close of escrow to mail it in to the DWP at this address.
Thirdly, buyer and seller will fill out the 9a form. That form has a separate fee of $70.85 to be mailed to the City of LA Building and Safety department. Here is a copy of the 9a form.
Finally, escrow will order a RPR (Residential Property Report) report from the city. Here is a copy of the RPR report. The RPR report is sometimes also called the 9a report.
The retrofit process is considered complete when the (1) 9a report is filled out by the seller and buyer, (2) the retrofit inspection is complete and the retrofitter marks the home as all compliant, (3) LADWP certificate of compliance is completed by the retrofitter and mailed to escrow, and (4) RPR is paid for and received by escrow.
It is best also to have your projected escrow officer familiar with what is needed with respect to these City of LA conditions and requirements, so check with them before opening escrow.
If you have any questions, feel free to call us at 310.800.4418, and hope this helps out.