Tennessee House Bill HB0528

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23
• Refer: 2/1/23
• Failed: 3/19/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 40, Chapter 33, Part 2; Title 47 and Title 66, relative to consumer protection.

Impact

The implementation of HB 0528 brings significant changes to existing state laws that govern real estate transactions. By capping the frequency of unsolicited contact, the bill seeks to enhance consumer rights and provide property owners with a more straightforward mechanism for addressing unwanted solicitations. Should a property owner feel that their rights have been infringed, they are afforded the option to lodge a complaint with the Consumer Affairs Division of the Attorney General’s office, which is mandated to begin an investigation within fifteen days of the complaint being filed.

Summary

House Bill 0528 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated, particularly focusing on consumer protection in real estate transactions. The bill specifically addresses unsolicited offers by real estate developers and business entities to purchase real property from owners. It mandates that these entities can only contact property owners once within a calendar year regarding unsolicited purchase requests, thereby providing a limitation on potentially intrusive communications. This initiative is promoted as a means to protect property owners from persistent solicitation that may lead to undue pressure in selling their properties.

Contention

The bill is likely to spark debate among stakeholders in the real estate sector, including developers, real estate agents, and consumer advocacy groups. Proponents of HB 0528 argue that it is essential for safeguarding the interests of property owners against aggressive marketing tactics. However, opponents may contend that it imposes undue restrictions on businesses that could inhibit legitimate offers and hinder industry practices. The enforcement of fines up to $1,500 for violations may also raise concerns regarding the bill's potential to create a burdensome regulatory environment for real estate transactions.