KGUN9 On Your Side, Tucson News, Weather & SportsNew real estate laws go into effect Thursday

New real estate laws go into effect Thursday

Web producer: Danya Kline

PHOENIX (AAOR/KGUN9-TV) - KGUN9 received a release from The Arizona Association of Realtors that lists six new laws which will take affect on Thursday, July 29th.  The laws will affect where "For Sale" signs can be placed in communities with HOA's, as well as requiring pools and spas to be included in the inspections. 

Tom Farley, CEO of the AAOR said, "We are pleased lawmakers listened to us to resolve issues hurting both homeowners and Realtors."

The details of the new laws are listed below:

HB2345: HOA; Condos; For Sale Signs – Homeowner and condo associations are prohibited from banning the display of temporary open house signs, except in common areas. The associations also are prohibited from regulating a property owner's "for sale" sign that conforms to the industry standards and are owned or used by the seller or the seller's agent, nor can they require a particular sign.  Further, they may not regulate open house hours except for restricting the hours to after 8 a.m. or before 6 p.m. Nor can they prohibit display of "for lease" signs unless the association does not allow leasing of units.

HB2371: Home Inspections – Swimming pools and spas are included in the list of items that a certified home inspector is to examine during a home inspection.

HB2450: Water and Wastewater Fees and Charges – Prohibits a municipality from refusing service or requiring payment for unpaid water and wastewater services from anyone other than the person contracted with the municipality.

HB2766: Tenant Notice; Foreclosures – If the landlord of a residential property of not more than four connected units that is under foreclosure leases a unit, the landlord must provide each tenant with written notice of possible foreclosure. The form of the notice is prescribed and includes, if known, the date, time and place of the foreclosure sale. If a landlord fails to comply with the notice requirement, the tenant may deliver a notice of breach of agreement and recover damages and obtain injunctive relief.

HB2768: Real Property Transfer Fee Covenants – Prohibits private transfer fees paid to developers or third-party companies on the sale of real property.  This legislation targets a specific and new type of transfer fee, not those paid by homeowner associations. Government-imposed transfer fees are already prohibited by the 2008 constitutional amendment drafted by AAR and passed by the voters.

SB1219: Real Estate Licensee - Conforms the time a real estate license is valid to the time period for completing education requirements (two years).  The law allows a licensee to cancel his/her license, defines business broker, and requires a valid fingerprint clearance card before applying for a license.