(a)  The fact or suspicion that real property may be or is psychologically impacted is not a material fact requiring disclosure in any real estate transaction. “Psychologically impacted” means an impact being the result of facts or suspicions including, but not limited to, the following:

(1)  That an occupant of real property is now or has been suspected to be infected or is infected or has been infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus or diagnosed with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, or any other disease that has been determined by medical evidence to be highly unlikely to be transmitted through the occupying of a dwelling place; or

(2)  That the real property was or has been, at any time, suspected of being the site of a homicide, other felony, or suicide.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 5-20.8-6

  • Agent: means any individual or entity acting on behalf of a seller or buyer to effect the transfer of real estate. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-20.8-1
  • Buyer: means any individual or entity seeking to obtain title to real estate from a seller for consideration. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-20.8-1
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Real estate: means vacant land or real property and improvements consisting of a house or building containing one to four (4) dwelling units. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-20.8-1
  • Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.
  • Seller: means any individual or entity seeking to transfer title to real estate to a buyer for consideration. See Rhode Island General Laws 5-20.8-1

(b)(1)  No cause of action shall arise against the seller of the real property or his or her agent for failure to disclose to the buyer that the real property was psychologically impacted as defined in this chapter.

(2)  Under no circumstances shall this provision be interpreted as or used as authorization for an agent or seller to make any misrepresentation of fact or false statement.

History of Section.
P.L. 1992, ch. 425, § 1.