56:8-19.1 Exemption from consumer fraud law, certain real estate licensees, circumstances.

1. Notwithstanding any provision of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.) to the contrary, there shall be no right of recovery of punitive damages, attorney fees, or both, under section 7 of P.L.1971, c.247 (C.56:8-19), against a real estate broker, broker-salesperson or salesperson licensed under R.S.45:15-1 et seq. for the communication of any false, misleading or deceptive information provided to the real estate broker, broker-salesperson or salesperson, by or on behalf of the seller of real estate located in New Jersey, if the real estate broker, broker-salesperson or salesperson demonstrates that he:

a. Had no actual knowledge of the false, misleading or deceptive character of the information; and

b. Made a reasonable and diligent inquiry to ascertain whether the information is of a false, misleading or deceptive character. For purposes of this section, communications by a real estate broker, broker-salesperson or salesperson which shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of a "reasonable and diligent inquiry" include, but shall not be limited to, communications which disclose information:

(1) provided in a report or upon a representation by a person, licensed or certified by the State of New Jersey, including, but not limited to, an appraiser, home inspector, plumber or electrical contractor, or an unlicensed home inspector until December 30, 2005, of a particular physical condition pertaining to the real estate derived from inspection of the real estate by that person;

(2) provided in a report or upon a representation by any governmental official or employee, if the particular information of a physical condition is likely to be within the knowledge of that governmental official or employee; or

(3) that the real estate broker, broker-salesperson or salesperson obtained from the seller in a property condition disclosure statement, which form shall comply with regulations promulgated by the director in consultation with the New Jersey Real Estate Commission, provided that the real estate broker, broker-salesperson or salesperson informed the buyer that the seller is the source of the information and that, prior to making that communication to the buyer, the real estate broker, broker-salesperson or salesperson visually inspected the property with reasonable diligence to ascertain the accuracy of the information disclosed by the seller.

Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to affect the obligations of a real estate broker, broker-salesperson or salesperson pursuant to the "New Residential Construction Off-Site Conditions Disclosure Act," P.L.1995, c.253 (C.46:3C-1 et seq.), or any other law or regulation.

L.1999,c.76,s.1; amended 2004, c.18, s.2.