How to Find out if Someone Died in my House

Last updated on October 19th, 2025 at 08:23 am

Want to know if someone died in your house? You’re not alone. Many homeowners are curious about their home’s history. This guide shows you simple ways to find out.

We will also address common questions such as what are the chances of someone dying in a house and does a death affect a home’s value.

When to Hire Professionals

Get professional help when:

• You can’t find information on your own
• The house has a complicated history
• You need official documentation
• Legal issues might come up

Making Your Decision

Once you know your home’s history, you can:

• Feel more comfortable in your house
• Prepare for future sales
• Understand your property’s value
• Learn about your neighborhood

Types of Deaths: Rules differ by state:

• Natural deaths (illness, old age) – some states don’t require disclosure
• Violent deaths (murder, suicide) – most states require disclosure
• Accidents – usually must be disclosed
• Drug overdoses – typically must be disclosed

How to Disclose: Sellers usually put this information in writing. They can’t hide it or lie about it.

Penalties: Sellers who don’t follow disclosure laws can face lawsuits and have to pay damages.

When should you disclose, or not disclose, a death

It is generally a good idea to disclose a death if it may affect the buyer’s decision to proceed with the purchase or if there is a legal obligation to disclose a death.

In some cases, disclosing the death may be to the detriment of the market value of the property.

Ask a real estate expert or attorney to help guide you in making a decision about whether or not to disclose a death in your home.

Final Thoughts 

While is may seem creepy to think about someone dying in a house, it does bother some people. 

It is totally reasonable for someone not to want to purchase a new place if someone happened to pass away in it. Have a house that someone died in? We buy homes in San Antonio, TX.