When is a property owner no longer liable for maintenance of their property?

A property owner is no longer liable for maintenance of their property until the closing date because, during the transaction process, ownership of the property is not officially transferred until the closing occurs. Until that time, the seller retains ownership and, as a result, is responsible for maintenance, repairs, and any issues that may arise with the property.

At the moment the closing date is reached, the buyer takes legal possession, and the corresponding liabilities and responsibilities for the property's maintenance then shift from the seller to the buyer. Prior to the closing, even if an offer has been accepted or earnest money deposited, the seller remains the legal owner and responsible for the property's upkeep. This transition illustrates the importance of formal processes in real estate transactions, underscoring when responsibilities are legally transferred.