Bill > S197

This bill aims to protect consumer rights when purchasing safe and habitable residential properties. The key provisions are: 1. Prospective purchasers of residential structures or condominium units have the right to have the property inspected by a licensed home inspector within 10 days (or a longer period agreed upon) of the seller's acceptance of the purchase offer, at the purchaser's expense. The inspection covers various components of the property. 2. Sellers are prohibited from conditioning the acceptance of a purchase offer on the waiver of the purchaser's inspection right, except in limited circumstances such as auction sales or sales to certain relatives of the seller. 3. The purchaser has the option to revoke the purchase offer within 5 business days (or a longer period agreed upon) of the inspection if the inspector's opinion identifies serious defects that would cost the purchaser more than a specified amount to repair. 4. Sellers who fail to comply with the law are liable for damages and subject to civil penalties of up to 4% of the sale price or $10,000, whichever is greater. Violations may also constitute unfair and deceptive practices.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S197