Rhode Island § 5-79-6 - Mortgage Foreclosure Consultant Regulation

§ 5-79-6. Remedies.

(a) Any violation of §§ 5-79-1 — 5-79-9 is considered to be a violation of § 6-13.1-2, and all remedies of § 6-13.1-5.2 are available for such an action. A private cause of action under § 6-13.1-5.2 by a foreclosed homeowner is in the public interest. An owner may bring an action against a foreclosure consultant for any violation of §§ 5-79-1 — 5-79-9. Any judgment against the mortgage foreclosure consultant shall include actual damages, reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, and appropriate equitable relief.

(b) The court may award punitive damages up to one and one half (1½) times the compensation charged by the foreclosure consultant if the court finds that the foreclosure consultant violated the provisions of § 5-79-4(1), (2), or (4), and the foreclosure consultant’s conduct was in bad faith.

(c) The rights and remedies provided in subsection (a) are cumulative to, and not a limitation of, any other rights and remedies provided by law.

(d) Any action brought pursuant to this section must be commenced within four (4) years from the date of the alleged violation.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, no action may be brought on the basis of a violation of §§ 5-79-1 — 5-79-9, except by an owner against whom the violation was committed or by the department of attorney general.