A new controversial real estate regulation is now in effect in Rockland County.

Effective July 1, real estate agents who solicit homeowners in Chestnut Ridge will be hit with a fine of up to $1,000.

Residents complained that they were being harassed to sell their homes by aggressive solicitors. That prompted Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee to spearhead the effort to stop the practice.

"Many of the residents were being pushed to sell their homes," says Jaffee. "They were getting hundreds of mailers over a period of time."

The new regulation protects residents that sign up for a cease-and-desist list.

"You could not walk outside without someone approaching you to want to sell your house," says resident Magali Dupuy. "If I stepped outside I'd have someone come up to the door or go to my neighbor's door ringing the bell trying to sell them."

Realtors in Rockland County tell News 12 they are not on board with the new law. They say the regulation will give them limited access to potential customers.

The regulation will remain in place through July 2023.