---
title: "New Jersey Home Sale Checklist: Inspections & Certificates"
description: "Checklist of the certificates and inspections in a New Jersey home sale: smoke/CO certificate, well test, town CO/CCO, radon, oil tank, lead."
canonical: https://njhomesalechecklist.com/home-sale-checklist/
---

# New Jersey home-sale compliance checklist

> Last updated 2026-10-13. Checked against the official sources listed at the end of this page.

Reviewed by NJ Home Sale Checklist staff

| Item | Required? | Who does it | Guide |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Smoke & CO alarm certificate | Yes, 1-2 family homes (statewide) | Town fire official, or NJ DCA | [Guide](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/smoke-co-certificate/) · [by town](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/smoke-co-certificate/towns/) |
| Private well test (PWTA) | Yes, if on a private well | NJDEP-certified lab | [Guide](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/well-testing/) |
| Town certificate of occupancy / continued compliance | Depends on the town (e.g. Newark CCC, Hamilton CO) | Town code/housing office | [Town pages](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/smoke-co-certificate/towns/) |
| Radon test | No (common buyer inspection) | NJDEP-certified radon business | [Guide](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/radon/) |
| Oil tank sweep / closure | Sweep: no. Closure: certified firm required | NJDEP-certified UST firm | [Guide](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/oil-tanks/) |
| Lead | Sale: federal disclosure plus 10-day opportunity to test (pre-1978). Rentals: lead-safe certification | DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor | [Directory](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/lead/) |

## Frequently asked questions

**What certificates does a NJ seller need?**

Statewide: the smoke/CO alarm certificate for 1-2 family homes, and well test results if the home is on a private well. Many towns add a certificate of occupancy or continued-occupancy inspection, which this site notes where verified.

**Is a radon or oil tank inspection required?**

Not by state law. Both are common buyer inspections.

General information, not legal advice. Retrieved 2026-10-12.

## Sources

Each row of the checklist summarizes a guide on this site. These are the official sources those guides rely on:

- [N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-5-70-2-3)
- [its online portal](https://firesolutions.dca.nj.gov/ultra-fire-home/smoke-application-create/)
- [DCA in-lieu form](https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dfs/forms/bfce/certificationinlieu.pdf)
- [N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(d)](https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/new-jersey/N-J-A-C-5-70-2-9)
- [NJDEP PWTA](https://dep.nj.gov/privatewells/pwta/)
- [NJDEP Office of Quality Assurance](https://dep.nj.gov/dsr/oqa/pwta/)
- [NJDEP Radon Business Certification](https://dep.nj.gov/rpp/radon/radon_bus/)
- [NJDEP Unregulated Heating Oil Tanks](https://dep.nj.gov/srp/unregulated/)
- [FAQ](https://nj.gov/dep/srp/unregulatedtanks/faqs.html)
- [NJ DCA lead-safe certification](https://www.nj.gov/dca/codes/resources/leadpaint.shtml)
- [EPA: Real estate disclosures about potential lead hazards](https://www.epa.gov/lead/real-estate-disclosures-about-potential-lead-hazards)

## Where can I find a DCA-certified lead evaluation contractor in NJ?

[All counties](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/lead/) · [Bergen County](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/lead/bergen/) · [Morris County](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/lead/morris/) · [Essex County](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/lead/essex/) · [Union County](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/lead/union/) · [Camden County](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/lead/camden/) · [Middlesex County](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/lead/middlesex/)

## Where can I find my town's smoke and CO certificate rules?

[All town guides](https://njhomesalechecklist.com/smoke-co-certificate/towns/)