Starting on January 30, 2025, a new law will prohibit anyone but a licensed electrician from opening electrical panels; and performing other inspections that home inspectors have been required to perform, such as inserting a receptable tester into a wall plug.   The Department of Business Regulation issued an undated bulletin to explain this further.

This means that home buyers and property owners who wish to have those services conducted during the ten-day inspection period buyers are allowed by Rhode Island Law, will have the added burden of scheduling and paying for an appointment with a licensed electrician within that 10-day period. Prior to the new law, home inspectors have been allowed to visually inspect and test the panel. RI Realtors fear that an unintended consequence of the law will be buyers who choose to forego having anyone conduct those service prior to closing.

Home inspectors are subject to conflict of interest laws that prohibit them from doing work that they identify during an inspection.  Electricians are not.

The penalty for violation is $1500 for a first offense: webserver.rilegislature.gov//Statutes/TITLE5/5-6/5-6-32.htm

The Rhode Island Association of REALTORS® opposed this legislation during the legislation session and plans to ask the General Assembly to revisit this law and its unintended consequences before the law takes effect.

REALTORS®:  For more information, please contact the RIAR Legal Department at [email protected] or 401-432-6945.