requiring a contract for the initial sale of certain real property to disclose the
estimated cost of certain deferred water and sewer charges; and generally
relating to deferred water and sewer charges.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article - Real Property
Section 14-117(b)
Annotated Code of Maryland

(1996 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article - Real Property
Section 14-117(c)
Annotated Code of Maryland

(1996 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article - Real Property

14-117.

(b) (1) IN THIS SUBSECTION, "WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY" INCLUDES A
PERSON TO WHOM THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A WATER AND SEWER
AUTHORITY HAVE BEEN DELEGATED BY A WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR IN
ACCORDANCE WITH A LOCAL ORDINANCE.

(2) A contract for the initial sale of improved, residential real property to
a member of the public who intends to occupy or rent the property for residential
purposes shall disclose the estimated cost, as established by the appropriate water
and sewer authority, of any deferred water and sewer charges for which the purchaser
may become liable. If the appropriate water and sewer authority has not established
a schedule of charges for the water and sewer project that benefits the property or if
a local jurisdiction has adopted a plan to benefit the property in the future, the
contract of sale shall disclose that fact.

(c) Violation of subsection (b) of this section entitles the initial purchaser to
recover from the seller:

(1) Two times the amount of deferred charges the purchaser would be
obligated to pay during the 5 years of payments following the sale;

(2) No amount greater than actually paid thereafter; and

(3) Any deposit moneys actually paid by the purchaser that were lost as
a result of violation of subsection (b) of this section.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1999.