Source: http://register.dls.virginia.gov/details.aspx?id=2765
Timestamp: 2019-08-18 21:31:52
Document Index: 110037532

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 36', '§ 36', '§ 5401', '§ 36', 'art.\n5', 'art.\n1']

Vol. 28 Iss. 20 (Final Regulation) 13VAC6-20, Manufactured Housing Licensing And Transaction Recovery Fund Regulations June 04, 2012
Title of Regulation: 13VAC6-20. Manufactured Housing Licensing and Transaction Recovery Fund Regulations (amending 13VAC6-20-10, 13VAC6-20-20, 13VAC6-20-30, 13VAC6-20-50, 13VAC6-20-60, 13VAC6-20-80, 13VAC6-20-90, 13VAC6-20-100, 13VAC6-20-120, 13VAC6-20-130, 13VAC6-20-140, 13VAC6-20-170, 13VAC6-20-180, 13VAC6-20-190, 13VAC6-20-200, 13VAC6-20-350, 13VAC6-20-460; adding 13VAC6-20-201, 13VAC6-20-202, 13VAC6-20-203, 13VAC6-20-204; repealing 13VAC6-20-250).
Statutory Authority: §§ 36-85.18 and 36-85.36 of the Code of Virginia.
Effective Date: July 4, 2012.
The amendments (i) add several definitions to clarify regulatory text; (ii) specify that board notices and correspondence will be sent to a licensee's last known address of record; (iii) modify the time frame in which regulated entities may renew their licenses and add a reinstatement period for licensees that fail to renew in a timely manner; (iv) increase all licensure fees; (v) increase the inspection fee that is collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles from $10 to $30; and (vi) prohibit regulated entities whose licenses have been revoked, or not renewed for cause, from being licensed under a different name. The proposed amendment to the definition of manufactured home dealer was not adopted.
"Claimant" means any person who has filed a verified claim under Chapter 4.2 (§§ (§ 36-85.16 et seq.) of Title 36 of the Code of Virginia.
"Code" means the appropriate standards of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and the Manufactured Home Safety Regulations adopted by the Board of Housing and Community Development and administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development pursuant to the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 USC § 5401 et seq.) for manufactured homes.
"Manufactured home dealer" or "dealer" means any person engaged in the business of buying, selling or dealing in manufactured homes or offering or displaying manufactured homes for sale in Virginia. Any person who buys, sells, or deals in [ three or ] more [ than one new ] manufactured homes in any 12-month period shall be presumed to be a manufactured home dealer. The terms "selling" and "sale" include lease-purchase transactions. The term "manufactured home dealer" does not include banks and finance companies that acquire manufactured homes as an incident to their regular business.
"Regulant" means any person, firm, corporation, association, partnership, joint venture, or any other legal entity required by Chapter 4.2 (§§ (§ 36-85.16 et seq.) of Title 36 of the Code of Virginia to be licensed by the board.
"Regulations" or "these regulations" means the Virginia Manufactured Housing Licensing and Transaction Recovery Fund Regulations.
"Statement of Compliance" means the statement found on the initial license application and on the renewal application, that the regulant licensed by the board will comply with the Manufactured Housing Licensing and Transaction Recovery Fund Law, this chapter and the orders of the board.
"Supplier" means the original producers of completed components, including refrigerators, stoves, water heaters, dishwashers, cabinets, air conditioners, heating units, and similar components, and materials such as floor coverings, panelling paneling, siding, trusses, and similar materials, which are furnished to a manufacturer or a dealer for installation in the manufactured home prior to sale to a buyer.
"Warranty" means any written assurance of the manufacturer, dealer or supplier or any promise made by a regulant in connection with the sale of a manufactured home that becomes part of the basis of the sale. The term "warranty" pertains to the obligations of the regulant in relation to materials, workmanship, and fitness of a manufactured home for ordinary and reasonable use of the home for the term of the promise or assurance.
C. Application for renewal of an expired license received by the board within 60 calendar days after the expiration of the license shall require payment of a $100 penalty by the applicant. Application for renewal received by the board more than 60 calendar days but less than one year from the expiration shall be reviewed by the board. The expired license may be renewed by the board under such additional conditions, warranties or agreements by the applicant as required by the board. Application for renewal more than one year after expiration of a license shall be considered as a new application for a license and shall require payment of all fees and assessments for the new license. When applying for renewal of an expired license, the applicant shall certify to the board that, during the time of license expiration, all activities of the regulant within the scope of this chapter were in compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Upon application and payment of the renewal fee and any penalty by a manufacturer, the board may renew an expired license if satisfactory evidence is presented to it that the applicant has not engaged in business as a manufacturer in Virginia after expiration of the license or agrees to the conditions imposed by the board, and is otherwise eligible for a license under this chapter. Should the department fail to receive a licensed manufacturer's renewal form and appropriate fee within 30 days of the license expiration date, the manufacturer shall be required to reinstate the license according to the terms and conditions of Article 8 (13VAC6-20-201 et seq.) of this part.
5. List of salespeople licensed in Virginia with the following biographical information for each:
C. Application for renewal of an expired license received by the board within 60 calendar days after the expiration of the license shall require payment of a $100 penalty by the applicant. Application for renewal received by the board more than 60 calendar days but less than one year from the expiration shall be reviewed by the board. The expired license may be renewed by the board under such additional conditions, warranties or agreements by the applicant as required by the board. Application for renewal more than one year after expiration of a license shall be considered as a new application for a license and shall require payment of all fees and assessments for a new license. When applying for renewal of an expired license, the applicant shall certify to the board that, during the time of license expiration, all activities of the regulant within the scope of this chapter were in compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Upon application and payment of the renewal fee and any penalty by a dealer, the board may renew an expired license if satisfactory evidence is presented to it that the applicant has not engaged in business as a dealer in Virginia after expiration of the license or agrees to the conditions imposed by the board, and is otherwise eligible for a license under this chapter. Should the department fail to receive a licensed dealer's renewal form and appropriate fee within 30 days of the license expiration date, the dealer shall be required to reinstate the license according to the terms and conditions of Article 8 (13VAC6-20-201 et seq.) of this part.
E. Each dealer licensed under this chapter shall also obtain a certificate of dealer registration from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The certificate of registration shall be renewed annually and shall be maintained in effect with the Department of Motor Vehicles as long as the dealer is licensed under this chapter.
6. List of salespeople employed with the following biographical information for each:
7. Name of the owner, principal, manager, agent or other person designated as the holder of the dealer's license for the specific location and the names of other partners or principals in the dealership.
6. A copy of the dealer's current certificate of registration from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
D. Any change in the form of ownership of the dealer or any changes (deletions or additions) in the partners or principals of the dealer shall be submitted to the board with an application and fee for a new license. If the new owner or owners assume the liabilities of the previous owner or owners, then a new recovery fund assessment is not required. New recovery fund assessments shall be required when the new owner or owners do not assume the liabilities of the previous owner or owners. The board shall be notified immediately by the dealer of any change in the operating name of the dealer. The director shall endorse the change on the license without requiring an additional fee. The board shall be notified immediately by the dealer of any change in the location of the dealer. The dealer shall pay a fee of $50 for the change of location on the license, but shall not be required to pay an additional assessment to the recovery fund for the change of location only.
A. The dealer shall inspect every new manufactured home unit upon delivery from a manufacturer. If a dealer becomes aware of a noncompliance or an imminent safety hazard, as defined in 13VAC5-95-10 of the Manufactured Home Safety Regulations, in a manufactured home, the dealer shall contact the manufacturer, provide full information concerning the problem, and request appropriate action by the manufacturer. No dealer shall sell a new manufactured home if he becomes aware that it contains a noncompliance or an imminent safety hazard.
B. The dealer shall inspect every new manufactured home unit prior to selling to determine that all items of furniture, appliances, fixtures and devices are not damaged and are in place and operable.
D. If the dealer provides for the installation of any manufactured home he sells, the dealer shall be responsible for making sure the installation of the home meets the manufacturer's installation requirements and the Code.
A. Any person located in or outside of the Commonwealth buying or selling, negotiating the purchase or sale or exchange of, or leasing used manufactured homes and meeting the definition of broker in 13VAC6-20-10 shall apply to the board for a license. The license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place accessible to the public in the office of the business location. The license shall be issued for a term of one year from the date of issuance.
C. Application for renewal of an expired license received by the board within 60 calendar days after the expiration of the license shall require payment of a $100 penalty by the applicant. Application for renewal received by the board more than 60 calendar days but less than one year from the expiration shall be reviewed by the board. The expired license may be renewed by the board under such additional conditions, warranties or agreements by the applicant as required by the board. Application for renewal more than one year after expiration of a license shall be considered as a new application for a license and shall require payment of all fees and assessments for a new license. When applying for renewal of an expired license, the applicant shall certify to the board that, during the time of license expiration, all activities of the regulant within the scope of this chapter were in compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Upon application and payment of the renewal fee and any penalty by a broker, the board may review an expired license if satisfactory evidence is presented to it that the applicant has not engaged in business as a broker in Virginia after expiration of the license or agrees to the conditions imposed by the board, and is otherwise eligible for a license under this chapter. Should the department fail to receive a licensed broker's renewal form and appropriate fee within 30 days of the license expiration date, the broker shall be required to reinstate the license according to the terms and conditions of Article 8 (13VAC6-20-201 et seq.) of this part.
E. Each broker licensed under this chapter shall also obtain a certificate of dealer registration from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles. The certificate of registration shall be renewed annually and shall be maintained in effect with the Department of Motor Vehicles as long as the broker is licensed under this chapter.
7. List of salespeople employed with the following biographical information for each:
5. A copy of the broker's current certificate of registration from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
D. Any change in the form of ownership of the broker or any changes (deletions or additions) in the partners or principals of the broker shall be submitted to the board with an application and fee for a new license. If the new owner(s) assume the liabilities of the previous owner(s), then a new recovery fund assessment is not required. New recovery fund assessments shall be required when the new owner(s) do not assume the liabilities of the previous owner(s).
A. The broker shall inspect every used manufactured home unit prior to completion of sale. No broker shall sell a used manufactured home, if he becomes aware that it contains an imminent safety hazard as defined in 13VAC5-95-10 of the Manufactured Home Safety Regulations.
A. Any person employed by a dealer, broker or manufacturer buying or selling or negotiating the purchase, sale or exchange of new or used manufactured homes and meeting the definition of a salesperson in 13VAC6-20-10 shall apply to the board for a license. The salesperson's license shall be displayed in the company's business office in a conspicuous place accessible to the public in public view. The license shall be issued for a term of one year from the date of issuance. A salesperson shall be allowed to engage in business as a licensed salesperson authorized by the board to sell manufactured homes after applying for a license, accompanied by the required fees, but prior to receiving the license back from the board, and shall not be considered to be an "unlicensed salesperson" during such time.
C. Application for renewal of an expired license received by the board within 60 calendar days after the expiration of the license shall require payment of a $100 penalty by the applicant. Application for renewal received by the board more than 60 calendar days but less than one year from the expiration shall be reviewed by the board. The expired license may be renewed by the board under such additional conditions, warranties or agreements by the applicant as required by the board. Application for renewal more than one year after expiration of a license shall be considered as a new application for a license and shall require payment of all fees and assessments for a new license. When applying for renewal of an expired license, the applicant shall certify to the board that, during the time of license expiration, all activities of the regulant within the scope of this chapter were in compliance with the requirements of this chapter. Upon application and payment of the renewal fee and any penalty by a salesperson, the board may renew an expired license if satisfactory evidence is presented to it that the applicant has not engaged in business as a salesperson in Virginia after expiration of the license and prior to application for renewal or agrees to the conditions imposed by the board, and is otherwise eligible for a license under this chapter. Should the department fail to receive a licensed salesperson's renewal form and appropriate fee within 30 days of the license expiration date, the salesperson shall be required to reinstate the license according to the terms and conditions of Article 8 (13VAC6-20-201 et seq.) of this part.
1. Engaging in business as a manufactured home manufacturer, dealer or broker without first obtaining a license from the board.
9. Failing to comply with the advertising provisions in Part IV of this chapter (13VAC6-20-270 et seq.).
12. Knowingly offering for sale a manufactured home produced by a manufacturer which is not licensed as a manufacturer under this chapter.
16. Failing to renew a license and continuing to engage in business as a manufacturer, dealer, broker or salesperson after the expiration of any license.
17. A salesperson selling, exchanging or offering to sell or exchange a manufactured home for any dealer or broker other than the licensed dealer or broker employing the salesperson.
18. A salesperson offering, transferring or assigning any negotiated sale or exchange of a manufactured home to another dealer, broker, manufacturer or salesperson.
22. Failing to comply with the regulations of state or federal agencies regarding the financing, titling, taxation or transporting of manufactured homes.
B. The board may deny, suspend, revoke or refuse to renew or reinstate the license of a regulant because of, but not limited to, one or more of the following grounds:
1. Having had a license previously denied, revoked or suspended under this chapter.
2. Having a license denied, suspended or revoked by a similar licensing entity in another state.
3. Engaging in conduct in another state which would have been a violation of this chapter if the actions were committed in Virginia.
4. Failing to obtain a required certification of registration from the Department of Motor Vehicles, failing to renew the annual certificate of registration, or having the certificate of registration suspended or revoked by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
B. The board shall have the authority to levy assessments monetary penalties in addition to or instead of denying, suspending, revoking, or refusing to renew or reinstate a regulant's license. Such assessments monetary penalties shall include the following:
1. Transaction Recovery Fund assessments Monetary penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation by a manufacturer.
2. Transaction Recovery Fund assessments Monetary penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation by a dealer or broker.
3. Transaction Recovery Fund assessments Monetary penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation by a salesperson.
D. The decision of the board shall be final if no appeal is made. An appeal from the decision of the board may be filed with a court in accordance with the Administrative Process Act.
1. The manufacturer's original license fee shall be $600 $700.
2. The manufacturer's renewal license fee shall be $500 $600.
3. The dealer's original license fee shall be $150 to be submitted with the application for licensure plus $10 per home sold by the dealer to be submitted at the completion of the sale $200.
4. The dealer's renewal license fee shall be $100 to be submitted with the application for renewal plus $10 per home sold by the dealer to be submitted at the completion of the sale $150.
5. The broker's original license fee shall be $150 to be submitted with the application for licensure plus $10 per home sold by the broker to be submitted at the completion of the sale $200.
6. The broker's renewal license fee shall be $100 to be submitted with the application for renewal plus $10 per home sold by the broker to be submitted at the completion of the sale $150.
7. The salesperson's original license fee shall be $50 $100.
8. The salesperson's renewal license fee shall be $50 $100.
B. The following fees apply to special licenses issued by the board in accordance with Article 5 (13VAC6-20-160) of this part of this chapter:
1. Manufacturer's special license fee shall be $25 $40.
2. Dealer's special license fee shall be $25 $40.
3. Broker's special license fee shall be $25 $40.
4. Salesperson's special license fee shall be $10 $30.
13VAC6-20-250. Operation of dealership by manufacturer. (Repealed.)
A manufacturer shall not own, operate or control a dealership in the Commonwealth except under the following conditions:
1. A manufacturer may operate a dealership for a temporary period, not to exceed one year, during the transition from one owner or operator to another;
2. A manufacturer may own or control a dealership while the dealership is being sold under a bona fide contract or purchase option to the operator of the dealership; or
3. A manufacturer may own, operate, or control a dealership if the board determines, after a conference or hearing at the request of any party, that there is no dealer independent of the manufacturer available in the relevant market area to own and operate the dealer or manufacturer sales agreement in a manner consistent with the public interest.
A. Any defect which is determined to be an imminent safety hazard as defined in 13VAC5-95-10 of the Manufactured Home Safety Regulations to life and health shall be remedied within three days of receipt of the written notice of the warranty claim. Defects which may be considered as imminent safety hazards to life and health include, but are not limited to, any of the following:
Upon payment to a claimant from the fund, the board shall immediately revoke the license of the regulant whose conduct resulted in the payment from the fund. Any regulant whose license is revoked under this section shall not be eligible to apply for a new license or, renewal, or reinstatement of license until he has repaid the fund the full amount of the payments from the fund on his amount, plus interest, calculated at the rate of interest the recovery fund was earning at the time of the payment from the fund.
VA.R. Doc. No. R09-1572; Filed May 3, 2012, 9:25 a.m.