The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Date of purchase.” The date on which title and right to possess the property transfers to the purchaser or, in cases where the property is sold pursuant to the act of May 16, 1923 (P.L. 207, No. 153),¹ referred to as the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law, the first day following the right of redemption period authorized under the Municipal Claim and Tax Lien Law.

“Municipality.” Any city, borough, incorporated town, township, home rule municipality, optional plan municipality, optional charter municipality or any similar general purpose unit of government which may be created or authorized by statute.

“Substantial violation.” A violation of an adopted building, housing, property maintenance or fire code or maintenance, health or safety nuisance ordinance that makes a building, structure or any part thereof unfit for human habitation and is discovered during the course of a municipal inspection of a property and disclosed to the record owner or prospective purchaser of the property through issuance of a municipal report.

“Temporary access certificate.” A certificate issued by a municipality as a result of the municipal inspection of a property incident to the resale of the property that identifies at least one substantial violation, and the purpose of the certificate is to authorize the purchaser to access the property for the purpose of correcting substantial violations pursuant to the maintenance and repair provisions of this act. No person may occupy a property during the term of a temporary access certificate, but the owner shall be permitted to store personalty that is related to the proposed use or occupancy of the property or is needed to repair the substantial violations during the time of the temporary access certificate.

“Temporary use and occupancy certificate.” A certificate issued by a municipality as a result of the municipal inspection of a property incident to the resale of the property that reveals a violation but no substantial violation, and the purpose of the certificate is to authorize the purchaser to fully utilize or reside in the property while correcting violations pursuant to the maintenance and repair provisions of this act.

“Unfit for human habitation.” A condition which renders a building or structure, or any part thereof, dangerous or injurious to the health, safety or physical welfare of an occupant or the occupants of neighboring dwellings. The condition may include substantial violations of a property that show evidence of: a significant increase to the hazards of fire or accident; inadequate sanitary facilities; vermin infestation; or a condition of disrepair, dilapidation or structural defects such that the cost of rehabilitation and repair would exceed one-half of the agreed-upon purchase price of the property.

“Use and occupancy certificate.” A certificate issued by a municipality stipulating that the property meets all ordinances and codes and may be used or occupied as intended.

“Violation.” A violation of a properly adopted building, housing, property maintenance or fire code or maintenance, health or safety nuisance ordinance that does not rise to the level of a substantial violation and is discovered during the course of a municipal inspection of a property and disclosed to the record owner or prospective purchaser of the property through issuance of a municipal report.