New Jersey looks to remove home interior photos upon buyer request

New Jersey homebuyers could soon have the legal right to take down interior photos of their newly purchased homes from real estate databases, brokerage websites and social media platforms under newly introduced legislation. Assembly Bill No. 5422, introduced by Assemblyman William F. Moen Jr., aims to protect homebuyer privacy by establishing a standardized process for removing detailed interior imagery from public view once a transaction closes. Under the proposed law, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs would be required to create a standardized “image removal request form” within six months of the bill’s passage. “Starting on the date of the sale of the property and up to 30 days after the sale, the purchaser may submit a completed and signed form to the real estate broker, broker-salesperson, or salesperson that represents the seller of the purchased property,” the bill states, regarding requesting full removal of interior photos. For real estate professionals, the bill introduces direct compliance requirements and financial penalties. Listing agents representing sellers would be legally required to provide the request form to the buyer no later than the closing date. U...