Chapter 207
2019 -- S 0334 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED
Enacted 07/15/2019

A N   A C T
RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- REAL ESTATE SALES DISCLOSURES

Introduced By: Senators Coyne, Seveney, DiPalma, Valverde, and Lynch Prata
Date Introduced: February 13, 2019

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 5-20.8-2 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-20.8 entitled "Real
Estate Sales Disclosures" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     5-20.8-2. Disclosure requirements.
     (a) As soon as practicable, but in any event no later than prior to signing any agreement
to transfer real estate, the seller of the real estate shall deliver a written disclosure to the buyer
and to each agent with whom the seller knows he or she or the buyer has dealt in connection with
the real estate. The written disclosure shall comply with the requirements set forth in subsection
(b) of this section and shall state all deficient conditions of which the seller has actual knowledge.
The agent shall not communicate the offer of the buyer until the buyer has received a copy of the
written disclosure and signed a written receipt of the disclosure. If the buyer refuses to sign a
receipt pursuant to this section, the seller or agent shall immediately sign and date a written
account of the refusal. The agent is not liable for the accuracy or thoroughness of representations
made by the seller in the written disclosure or for deficient conditions not disclosed to the agent
by the seller.
     (b)(1) The Rhode Island real estate commission may approve a form of written disclosure
as required under this chapter or the seller may use a disclosure form substantially conforming to
the requirements of this section. The following provisions shall appear conspicuously at the top of
any written disclosure form: "Prior to the signing of an agreement to transfer real estate (vacant
land or real property and improvements consisting of a house or building containing one to four
(4) dwelling units), the seller is providing the buyer with this written disclosure of all deficient
conditions of which the seller has knowledge. This is not a warranty by the seller that no other
defective conditions exist, which there may or may not be. The buyer should estimate the cost of
repair or replacement of deficient conditions prior to submitting an offer on this real estate. The
buyer is advised not to rely solely upon the representation of the seller made in this disclosure,
but to conduct any inspections or investigations which the buyer deems to be necessary to protect
his or her best interest." Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to impose an
affirmative duty on the seller to conduct inspections as to the condition of this real estate.
     (2) The disclosure form shall include the following information:
     (i) Seller Occupancy -- (Length of Occupancy)
     (ii) Year Built
     (iii) Basement -- (Seepage, Leaks, Cracks, etc. Defects)
     (iv) Sump Pump -- (Operational, Location, and Defects)
     (v) Roof (Layers, Age, and Defects)
     (vi) Fireplaces -- (Number, Working and Maintenance, Defects)
     (vii) Chimney -- (Maintenance History, Defects)
     (viii) Woodburning Stove -- (Installation Date, Permit Received, Defects)
     (ix) Structural Conditions -- (Defects)
     (x) Insulation -- (Wall, Ceiling, Floor, UFFI)
     (xi) Termites or other Pests -- (Treatment Company)
     (xii) Radon -- (Test, Company) "Radon has been determined to exist in the State of
Rhode Island. Testing for the presence of radon in residential real estate prior to purchase is
advisable."
     (xiii) Electrical Service -- (Imp. & Repairs, Electrical Service, Amps, Defects,
Modifications)
     (xiv) Heating System -- (Type, Imp. & Repairs, Underground Tanks, Zones,
Supplemental Heating, Defects, Modifications)
     (xv) Air Conditioning -- (Imp. & Repairs, Type, Defects)
     (xvi) Plumbing -- (Imp. & Repairs, Defects, Modifications)
     (xvii) Sewage System -- (Assessment, Annual Fees, Type, Cesspool/Septic Location,
Last Pumped, Maintenance History, Defects)
     "Potential purchasers of real estate in the state of Rhode Island are hereby notified that
many properties in the state are still serviced by cesspools as defined in Rhode Island general law
chapter 23-19.15 chapter 19.15 of title 23 (The Rhode Island Cesspool Phase-Out Act cesspool
phase-out act of 2007). Cesspools are a substandard and inadequate means of sewage treatment
and disposal, and cesspools often contribute to groundwater and surface water contamination.
Requirements for abandonment and replacement of high-risk cesspools as established in Rhode
Island general law Chapter 23-19.15 chapter 19.15 of title 23 are primarily based upon a
cesspool's non-treatment of wastewater and the inherent risks to public health and the
environment due to a cesspool's distance from a tidal water area, or a public drinking water
resource. Purchasers should consult Rhode Island general law chapter 23-19.15 chapter 19.15 of
title 23 for specific cesspool abandonment or replacement requirements. An inspection of
property served by an on-site sewage system by a qualified professional is recommended prior to
purchase. Pursuant to Rhode Island general law § 5-20.8-13, potential purchasers shall be
permitted a ten-(10) day (10) period to conduct an inspection of a property's sewage system to
determine if a cesspool exists, and if so, whether it will be subject to the phase-out requirements
as established in Rhode Island general law chapter 23-19.15 chapter 19.15 of title 23.
     (xviii) Water System -- (Imp. & Repairs, Type, Defects) Private water supply (well).
"The buyer understands that this property is, or will be served, by a private water supply (well)
which may be susceptible to contamination and potentially harmful to health. If a public water
supply is not available, the private water supply must be tested in accordance with regulations
established by the Rhode Island department of health pursuant to § 23-1-5.3. The seller of that
property is required to provide the buyer with a copy of any previous private water supply (well)
testing results in the seller's possession and notify the buyer of any known problems with the
private water supply (well)."
     (xix) Domestic Hot Water -- (Imp. & Repairs, Type, Defects, Capacity of Tank)
     (xx) Property Tax
     (xxi) Easements and Encroachments -- The seller of that the real estate is required to
provide the buyer with a copy of any previous surveys of the real estate that are in the seller's
possession and notify the buyer of any known easements, encroachments, covenants, or
restrictions of the seller's real estate. If the seller knows that the real estate has a conservation
easement or other conservation or preservation restriction as defined in § 34-39-1 of the general
laws, the seller is required to disclose said that information and provide the buyer with a copy of
any documentation in the seller's possession regarding the conservation and preservation
restrictions. A buyer may wish to have a boundary or other survey independently performed at
his or her own expense.
     (xxii) Deed -- (Type, Number of Parcels)
     (xxiii) Zoning -- (Permitted use, Classification) "Buyers of real estate in the state of
Rhode Island are legally obligated to comply with all local real estate ordinances; including, but
not limited to, ordinances on the number of unrelated persons who may legally reside in a
dwelling, as well as ordinances on the number of dwelling units permitted under the local zoning
ordinances." If the subject property is located in a historic district, that fact must be disclosed to
the buyer, together with the notification that "property located in a historic district may be subject
to construction, expansion, or renovation limitations. Contact the local building inspection official
for details."
     (xxiv) Restrictions -- (Plat or Other)
     (xxv) Building Permits
     (xxvi) Minimum Housing -- (Violations)
     (xxvii) Flood Plain -- (Flood Insurance)
     (xxviii) Wetlands -- The location of coastal wetlands, bay, fresh water freshwater
wetlands, pond, marsh, river bank, or swamp, as those terms are defined in chapter 1 of title 2,
and the associated buffer areas may impact future property development. The seller must disclose
to the buyer any such determination on all or part of the land made by the department of
environmental management.
     (xxix) Multi-family or other Rental Property -- (Rental Income)
     (xxx) Pools & Equipment -- (Type, Defects)
     (xxxi) Lead Paint -- (Inspection) Every buyer of residential real estate built prior to 1978
is hereby notified that those properties may have lead exposures that may place young children at
risk of developing lead poisoning. Lead poisoning in young children may produce permanent
neurological damage, including learning disabilities, reduced IQ behavioral problems, and
impaired memory. The seller of that property is required to provide the buyer with a copy of any
lead inspection report in the seller's possession and notify the buyer of any known lead poisoning
problem. Environmental lead inspection is recommended prior to purchase.
     (xxxii) Fire
     (xxxiii) Hazardous Waste -- (Asbestos and Other Contaminants)
     (xxxiv) Miscellaneous
     (xxxv) Farms -- The disclosure shall inform the buyer that any farm(s) that may be in the
municipality are protected by the right to farm law.
     (xxxvi) Mold -- (Type, repairs, alterations, modifications).
     (xxxvii) Ventilation system modifications.
     (xxxviii) Moisture penetration and damage.
     (c) Any agreement to transfer real estate shall contain an acknowledgement that a
completed real estate disclosure form has been provided to the buyer by the seller in accordance
with the provisions of this section.
     (d) The Rhode Island real estate commission has the right to amend the seller disclosure
requirements by adding or deleting requirements when there is a determination that health, safety,
or legal needs require a change. Any change to requirements shall be a rule change, subject to the
Administrative Procedures Act administrative procedures act, chapter 35 of title 42. The power
of the commission to amend the written disclosure requirements shall be liberally construed so as
to allow additional information to be provided as to the structural components, housing systems,
and other property information as required by this chapter.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2020.
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LC000511/SUB A
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