Short answer
Yes, if you know of them. Section 7304 of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Seller Disclosure Law includes the presence of hazardous substances among the subjects on the form. A seller need not investigate under section 7308, but cannot knowingly conceal a material defect.
What the law lists
Pennsylvania's disclosure law lists the presence of hazardous substances in section 7304. The statute summary we reviewed does not define each substance, so ask your attorney which items belong in that line of the form. Think about oil spills, old fuel tanks, chemical storage or contamination you were told about by a contractor or neighbor.
Knowledge, not investigation
Section 7308 says the seller is not obligated to make any specific investigation or inquiry. The duty is tied to what you know. Section 7309 says sellers are not liable for errors they did not know about. If someone has already told you something, you know it, so write it down.
When facts change
Section 7307 requires a seller to tell the buyer if disclosed information becomes inaccurate before final settlement. If a test comes back after you sign the form, send a corrected disclosure. Keep a copy of what you sent and when.
What buyers do next
A buyer may order environmental tests. A lender may want results. If an issue turns up, the contract controls who pays for cleanup or whether the buyer can leave. This page is general information and not legal advice. An environmental professional and attorney can help. When in doubt, describe what you were told and by whom. A short, factual note is better than a blank line, and it lets the buyer decide whether to order testing.
Selling for cash instead
Sellers worried about what a buyer's inspection will find sometimes prefer a straightforward as-is purchase. A cash sale to Kaizen Home Buyers skips the repair list and the agent commission. The purchase is as-is. We can give you an offer within 24 hours and close in 14 to 30 days, or later if you need time. Our phone is 267-329-0084.