What law requires a contract for real estate to be in writing?

The requirement for contracts concerning real estate to be in writing is primarily established by the Statute of Frauds. This legal principle, which exists in various forms across jurisdictions, serves to prevent misunderstandings and fraudulent claims in significant transactions by ensuring that certain contracts are documented in writing and signed by the parties involved.

In real estate, the Statute of Frauds mandates that agreements such as sales contracts, leases longer than one year, and other legal obligations related to the transfer of property must be in writing to be enforceable in a court of law. This provision helps create a clear record of the terms agreed upon by both the buyer and the seller, or landlord and tenant.

The other options, while relevant in the realm of real estate and contracts, do not specifically address the requirement for real estate contracts to be in writing. The Real Estate License Act pertains to the licensing and regulation of real estate professionals, while the Uniform Commercial Code largely governs transactions of personal property, and the Property Rights Act deals with issues surrounding property ownership and rights but does not specify the writing requirement for contracts. Therefore, the Statute of Frauds is the correct answer as it directly relates to the necessity for real estate contracts to be in written form.