New Law Expands Continuing Education Requirements for Licensees

March 2010

Governor Linda Lingle on March 23 signed Act 9 of the 2010 Legislative Session into law. The bill increases the minimum required continuing education hours for real estate brokers and salespersons from 10 hours to at least 20 hours for each biennium, effective on January 1, 2011.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions on the new law >>

New Law to Protect Rental Tenants When Home is in Foreclosure

June 2009

The "Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009", which became law on May 20, 2009, includes provisions to protect tenants from eviction as a consequence of a foreclosure affecting the property being rented. The new law requires tenants be given 90-days notice prior to having to vacate, and allows them to stay through the remainder of their lease, if the home will continue to be a rental property.

Click here to view a one-page summary from NAR >>

2009 Electricity Cost Disclosure Requirement

June 2009

A new electricity cost disclosure requirement under House Bill 1464 went into effect July 1, 2009.

The bill, passed by the 2009 Legislature in May, was designed to add or clarify a number of statutory provisions to encourage energy efficiency and the development of renewable energy resources. It includes a provision that states: “Prior to the sale of residential real property, the property owner shall make a good faith declaration of electricity cost based on the most recent three-month period in which the property was occupied prior to the date of the seller’s disclosure, pursuant to chapter 508D. This declaration shall only apply where the owner directly pays the electrical utility bills, and shall not apply in the case of a foreclosure of residential real property or where there are no electric utility accounts associated with the property.”

HAR has prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help members understand the new requirement.

In addition, HAR has revised the Seller’s Real Property Disclosure Statement to comply with this new law.

Electricity Cost Disclosure FAQs >>

Revised Seller's Real Property Disclosure Statement >>

EPA Lead Renovation Rules

December 2008

To protect against this risk, on March 31, 2008, EPA issued a rule requiring the use of lead-safe practices and other actions aimed at preventing lead poisoning.

Under the rule, beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

Read More >>