Home Energy Rating Disclosure

A decorative map showing the locations of home with an HES in Ann Arbor

HERD Ordinance Quick Links

Schedule a Free Home Energy Score Submit Proof that Home Energy Score Was Included in Listing HERD Exception Michigan Seller's Disclosure HERD Exception Based on Waiver HERD Exemption Non-Conforming Dwelling Type

Join the "HERD"! ​

The Home Energy Rating Disclosure​ (HERD) Ordinance provides consumer protections by requiring that a Home Energy Score (HES) assessment be conducted before a home lists for sale. The HES Assessment will generate a score and a report that will provide home buyers information on a home's potential energy use and costs. HERD makes a home's energy use easy to understand, like a miles-per-gallon/charge rating for a vehicle.

Read the ordinance language as passed by City Council: Chapter 102 Home Energy Rating Disclosure - ORD23-26​

​Looking for a Home Energy Score Report?

The City of Ann Arbor Home Energy Score Locator is an interactive map where potential home buyers can locate Home Energy Score Reports by searching by address, square footage or score. 

Home Energy Score Locator

You can also find Home Energy Score Reports by searching STREAM​, the City of Ann Arbor's Searchable Public Document Database.

A recent upgrade to the system has disabled easy searches for Home Energy Score Reports. We are working to correct this. In the meantime, please use  this guide to search and locate Home Energy Score Reports. You can also email the HERD Team at  herdinfo@a2gov.org​ and staff can facilitate your search.

Comply with the HERD Ordinance in 4 Steps:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The HERD ordinance applies to:

  • Home sales within the city limits of Ann Arbor If you pay Ann Arbor City taxes, then your home sale may be subject to the HERD Ordinance.
         And
  • ​​Home sales of Existing single family detached homes or a "side-by-side" townhomes. These housing types that are part of an association or condominium development are also subject to the HERD ordinance.

The HERD Ordinance does NOT apply to:

  • Multiple dwelling units that are stacked vertically (apartment units)
  • Manufactured or mobile homes 
  • Commercial buildings
If you are selling an apartment or manufactured home, we recommend that you notify the city by completing our HERD Exemption Non-Conforming Dwelling online form to have the listing's exempt status verified and documented by the city. 

Exceptions to the HERD Ordinance

Home sales that otherwise would be subject to the HERD Ordinance but are sales subject to Michigan's Exceptions to Seller Disclosure act are not subject to the HERD Ordinance. Some examples of sales that are not subject to the HERD Or​dinance would be new construction, sales by a trustee or other non-occupant third-party fiduciary, and bank sales. 

If your home sale is of a type that is subject to Michigan's Exceptions to Seller Disclosure, we recommend that you notify the city by completing our HERD Exception Mi​chigan Seller Disclosure​ online form to have the listing's exception verified and documented by the city. 
Per Section 8:397 of the Home Energy Rating Disclosure Ordinance, you may request a waiver from the HERD Ordinance if your home is in a condition or situation that makes a Home Energy Score assessment unfeasible, you can request a waiver by completing our HERD ​Exception Based on Waiver​ online form. 

Still not sure? Take this Interactive Do I Need a Home Energy Score Quiz​ to help direct you to your next steps in complying with the HERD Ordinance.

A Home Energy Score Assessment is a visual assessment of your home by a certified Home Energy Score Assessor. The assessment takes 45-90 minutes (based on home size and complexity). Expect the assessor to be in every room of the home, including basements, crawlspaces, and attics. 

Two options are available for getting an assessment:

If you received a free Home Energy Score Assessment from the City, we already have your report, proceed to the next step.

If you chose to hire a local Home Energy Score Assessor, you will need to upload your Home Energy Score Report via the City of Ann Arbor's HERD Compliance Document Upload Site.

The Home Energy Score Report will need to be available in at least one Real Estate Listing. For information on how to publish the report, view the HERD Publication Guide​​​. ​

Once the score is published and the report is made available to potential buyers, you must submit proof that you included your Home Energy Score and Report in a Real Estate Listing via the City of Ann Arbor's HERD Compliance Document Upload Site​​.​

Be ready to provide a copy to all potential buyers and also have a copy of the report for the buyer to view at the closing. Having a hard copy at open houses and showings is a great way to be prepared for buyers who will ask to see the Home Energy Score Report.​ ​

​For more information, please check out the HERD FAQ.

HERD and the HES

The HERD program utilizes the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score (HES). The Home Energy Score rates homes on a simple 1–10 scale, with 10 being the most efficient. It comes with a report that suggests ways a homeowner can increase their score and decrease their utility bills, ​and is useful for buyers who want to compare credible information about home energy costs. Learn more about the Home Energy Score. 

When preparing to list a home, homeowners or real estate agents should schedule a HES Assessment​ with a certified assessor. The City of Ann Arbor provides this service for free​. Home sellers can also hire their own certified assessor. See a list of local assessors. ​Once complete, homeowners will receive the HES and accompanying report.

HERD and Ann Arbor's Climate Goals

In Ann Abor, around 23% of our greenhouse gas emissions come from residential buildings (or 69% for all buildings). Voluntary efforts to reduce energy​ consumption​​ in our homes make a difference, but we cannot achieve our climate goals without increasing energy efficiency in the residential sector. The HERD program will help by providing buyers and sellers with a roadmap for cost-effective improvements that will improve their homes and health while accelerating our progress to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as explained in our Privacy Policy.