reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 31-44-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-8 - Notice required by law.

§ 31-44-8. Notice required by law.The following notice must be given by the licensee to the tenant prior to occupancy:"The terms of your tenancy must be in accordance with the Rhode Island Mobile and Manufactured Home Act, title 31, chapter 44. Section 31-44-3 requires all the rules and regulations governing your tenancy to be fair and reasonable. Unreasonable rules, or those not in compliance with § 31-44-3, cannot be enforced against you."No licensee may offer a mobile and manufactured home or a mobile and manufactured home space or lot for rent without showing to the prospective resident a copy of the written lease before the resident occupies that mobile and manufactured home space or lot. No licensee may rent a mobile and manufactured home or mobile and manufactured home space or lot until a written lease has been signed by the resident and the owner. The term of the lease shall not be less than one year unless the resident requests, in writing, a term for less than one year, or requests in writing that he or she does not desire a written lease."The licensee of this park shall not require you to deal exclusively with a certain fuel dealer or other merchant for goods or services in connection with the use or occupancy of your mobile and manufactured home lot unless that restriction is necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of mobile and manufactured home residents in the park. If you are required to deal with a certain dealer or merchant, the price you pay for such goods or services may not be more than the prevailing price in this locality for similar goods and services."An increase in fees or rent, nonrenewal of lease, refusal to offer a lease, or termination of tenancy which is taken against you by a licensee as a penalty for reporting a violation of the Mobile and Manufactured Home Act or of any applicable building or health code, or for any other justified complaint to a governmental authority is a reprisal and is prohibited by law."History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 382, § 2; P.L. 1993, ch. 309, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 119, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 146, § 1.
RI Gen L § 31-44-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-9 - Enforceability.

§ 31-44-9. Enforceability.(a) Any provision of this chapter and any provision of a license issued pursuant to this chapter may be enforced by the department of business regulation. In addition to and notwithstanding any action taken by or pending at the department of business regulation, any resident of a mobile home park may seek to enforce any provision of a license or this chapter by civil action in the court exercising jurisdiction over the subject matter. However, failure to comply with tax laws and violations of land use regulations and water supply and sewage disposal requirements shall be subject to the jurisdiction of and shall be enforceable by, the municipality in which the park is located and/or the state agency having regulatory authority over the matter. (b) Any park owner or operator who violates any of the provisions of §§ 31-44-3, 31-44-3.1, 31-44-3.2, 31-44-4, 31-44-5, 31-44-7, 31-44-7.1, 31-44-7.2, 31-44-8 and 31-44-13 shall be deemed to have engaged in an unfair and deceptive trade practice under § 6-13.1-2 and, in addition to other remedies, shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of that chapter.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 382, § 2; P.L. 1993, ch. 309, § 1; P.L. 1994, ch. 182, § 1.
RI Gen L § 31-44-9.1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-9.1 - Remedies.

§ 31-44-9.1. Remedies.In addition to any other remedy authorized by law, equity or regulation, the director of the department may order, following notice and opportunity to be heard, the owner and residents of any mobile and manufactured home park to pay monthly rents directly to an interest bearing escrow account established by and under the control of, the director and may make the payment of those amounts to the owner of the mobile and manufactured home park contingent on the owner's submission of satisfactory evidence of compliance with all orders of the director. Upon submission of evidence of compliance, the director shall promptly cause any escrowed rents to be paid to the owner.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 309, § 2.
RI Gen L § 31-44-9.2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-9.2 - Investigations.

§ 31-44-9.2. Investigations.When, in the opinion of the director, sufficient cause exists to begin an investigation of alleged violations of any provision of this chapter or a license issued pursuant to this chapter, the director may commence an investigation of any act or practice or failure to act of any mobile and manufactured home park owner or operator and may bill the costs of the investigation to the mobile home park owner or operator. However, the investigation fees payable under this section shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) in any one calendar year unless the director petitions the superior court for the ability to continue the investigation, at which time the director shall demonstrate to the court's satisfaction that further investigation is warranted, whereby the fees may exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 309, § 2.
RI Gen L § 31-44-10 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-10 - Penalty.

§ 31-44-10. Penalty.Any person who violates the licensing provisions of this chapter may be fined by the department an amount not in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000), lose their license according to prescribed procedure, after a hearing. Provided, further, any person violating any of the provisions of this chapter may also be fined by the appropriate court according to existing court procedure.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 382, § 2; P.L. 1993, ch. 309, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 248, § 1.
RI Gen L § 31-44-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-11 - Fiscal autonomy.

§ 31-44-11. Fiscal autonomy.All license and permit fees collected pursuant to this chapter, and any fines collected by the department of business regulation for violations related to licenses and permits shall be held and used as specified under § 31-44-1.6. Any revenue received in excess of the department's expenses used as specified in this chapter shall be carried forward as specified under § 31-44-1.6(c).History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 382, § 2; P.L. 1993, ch. 309, § 1.
RI Gen L § 31-44-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-12 - Severability.

§ 31-44-12. Severability.If the provisions of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 382, § 2.
RI Gen L § 31-44-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-13 - Right of mobile home owners to peaceably assemble - Right to communicate.

§ 31-44-13. Right of mobile home owners to peaceably assemble — Right to communicate.(a) No provision contained in any bylaw, rental agreement, regulation, or rule pertaining to a mobile home park shall infringe upon the right of the mobile home owners to peaceably assemble in an open public meeting for any lawful purpose, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, in the common areas or recreational areas of the mobile home park.(b) No provisions contained in any bylaw, rental agreement, regulation, or rule pertaining to a mobile home park shall infringe upon the right of the mobile home owners or tenants to communicate or assemble among themselves, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, for the purpose of discussing any problems relative to the mobile home park. The discussions may be held in the common areas or recreational areas of the park, including halls or centers, or in any resident's home. In addition, the park owner or developer may not unreasonably restrict the use of any facility, including the use of utilities, when requested. Written notice must be provided to the mobile home park management and/or owner of the time and place for the assembly. The assembly shall be open to all park residents.(c) No provision contained in any bylaw, rental agreement, regulation, or rule pertaining to a mobile home park shall prohibit any mobile home owner of the mobile home park from canvassing mobile home owners of the mobile home park for the purposes described in this subsection. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "canvassing" includes an oral or written request; the distribution, circulation, posting, or publication of a notice; or a general announcement requesting the payment of membership dues or other matters relevant to the membership, federation, or organization. Canvassing shall be done at a reasonable time or times and in a reasonable manner. It is the intent of the legislature, through the enactment of this subsection, to prohibit any owner, developer, or manager of a mobile and manufactured home park from prohibiting free communication among mobile home owners or tenants in the guise of regulations or rules restricting or limiting canvassing for association, federation, or organization dues or other association, federation, or organization matters.History of Section.P.L. 1991, ch. 160, § 1.
RI Gen L § 31-44-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-15 - Purchase requirement.

§ 31-44-15. Purchase requirement.(a) All dealers and purchasers of new manufactured homes shall present or buy only housing urban and development (HUD) approved and compliant manufactured structures.(b) All dealers and purchasers of new manufactured homes are required to record with the local building official data plate wind zone information as part of the installation application. Local building officials shall consider data plate wind zone information as part of their inspection and enforcement process.(c) Owners of a home in a mobile- and manufactured-home park and owners of vacant lots in a mobile- and manufactured-home park shall not be prevented from replacing their existing home or placing a new home on a vacant lot notwithstanding any local zoning or land use ordinance to the contrary enacted subsequent to the establishment of the legally recognized lot on which the home is to be placed so long as all local and state building standards are satisfied and permits obtained.History of Section.P.L. 1994, ch. 269, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 262, § 1; P.L. 2013, ch. 428, § 1.
RI Gen L § 31-44-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-16 - Department of business regulation to hear matters.

§ 31-44-16. Department of business regulation to hear matters.(a) The director of the department of business regulation, or his or her designee, shall hear matters involving mobile and manufactured housing park rules, specifically this chapter. The director shall not have jurisdiction over issues relative to rent increases or jurisdiction over evictions.(b) Nothing in this section shall preclude the right of the director to use the services of a mediator to resolve a dispute involving mobile/manufactured housing park rules.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 94, § 1.
RI Gen L § 31-44-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-17 - Filing of complaint with department - Notice - Rules of evidence not binding.

§ 31-44-17. Filing of complaint with department — Notice — Rules of evidence not binding.(a) Any resident of a mobile and manufactured housing park or any owner of a mobile and manufactured housing park may petition the director by filing a complaint with the department of business regulation. After review of the claim and a decision by the director that the matter has merit and is not frivolous, the director shall schedule a hearing within sixty (60) days from receipt of the claim. If the director finds the claim to be without merit or to be frivolous, the director shall dismiss the complaint and explain in writing to the complainant his or her reasons for dismissing the complaint.(b) The director, or his or her agent, shall serve notice, in writing, of the time and place of the hearing upon all appropriate parties at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of the hearing. Both parties to the complaint may be represented by counsel.(c) The director, or his or her agent, shall not be bound by common law or statutory rules of evidence but may admit all testimony having a reasonable probative value. Complaints filed shall be handled in accordance with the departments' rules of practice and the administrative procedures act, chapter 35 of title 42. It may exclude evidence which, in the opinion of the director or his or her agent, is immaterial, irrelevant, or unduly repetitious.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 94, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 248, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 176, § 17; P.L. 2018, ch. 289, § 17.
RI Gen L § 31-44-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-18 - Decisions, judicial review and enforcement.

§ 31-44-18. Decisions, judicial review and enforcement.(a) When the director makes a decision, an order shall be made in writing and shall include finding of facts. The findings of fact shall be accompanied by a concise and explicit statement of the underlying facts supporting the findings. The parties shall be notified by mail of any decision or order.(b) A decision of the director may be appealed, by either party, by applying for a rehearing or appealing to the superior court for the county in which either party resides, within thirty (30) days of the date of the decision pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42.(c) If no timely appeal is taken pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, the decision of the director shall become final. The director shall file a certified abstract of any final decision with the clerk of the superior court in the county of residence of the complainant. The clerk of the court shall enter judgment on it, and this judgment may be enforced as with any final judgment of the superior court.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 94, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 248, § 1.
RI Gen L § 31-44-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-19 - Notification and cooperation required.

§ 31-44-19. Notification and cooperation required.The director shall notify the attorney general's consumer protection division and antitrust bureau, department of justice, that the attorney general may accept and act on written complaints properly forwarded to it by the director relative to mobile/manufactured housing.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 94, § 1.
RI Gen L § 31-44-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-20 - Mobile home conveyance tax.

§ 31-44-20. Mobile home conveyance tax.(a) There is imposed, on every deed, instrument, or writing by which any mobile or manufactured home shall be granted, assigned, transferred, or otherwise conveyed to, or vested in, the purchaser or purchasers, or any other person or persons, by his or her or their direction, when the consideration paid exceeds one hundred dollars ($100), a tax at the rate of one dollar and forty cents ($1.40) for each five hundred dollars ($500) or fractional part thereof which is paid for the purchase of the home (inclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrance remaining on it at the time of sale), and exclusive of any personal property that may be included in the sale which tax shall be payable at the time of making, execution, delivery, acceptance or presenting for recording of the instrument. In the absence of an agreement to the contrary, the tax shall be paid by the grantor.(b) In the event no consideration is actually paid for the mobile or manufactured home, the instrument of conveyance shall contain a statement to the effect that the consideration is such that no documentary stamps are required.(c) The tax administrator shall enforce the provisions of this section and may adopt and enforce rules and regulations relating to the enforcement of this section.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 319, § 1.
RI Gen L § 31-44-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-21 - Documentary stamps.

§ 31-44-21. Documentary stamps.(a) The payment of the tax imposed by this chapter shall be evidenced by the affixing of a documentary stamp or stamps to instrument by the person making, executing, delivering, or presenting for recording the instrument and only the original instrument shall be accepted for recording. The stamps shall be affixed in the manner that is consistent with § 44-25-4.1 authorizing the use of hand stamps. The recorder of deeds or clerks shall affix upon the face of each original instrument, by hand stamp issued by the tax administrator, a receipt clearly showing the amount of tax paid by the person making, executing, delivering, or presenting for recording the original instrument.(b) Whenever a hand stamp is authorized and used, the provisions of § 44-25-4(b) and (c) shall apply to the hand stamp.History of Section.P.L. 1996, ch. 319, § 1.
RI Gen L § 31-44-22 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes|Section 31-44-22 - Sale price recording.

§ 31-44-22. Sale price recording.Every deed presented for recording due to the sale of property, which results in the transfer in ownership of the property, shall contain or have endorsed upon it the total dollar amount of the actual sale, which shall be recorded as part of the deed. A city or town clerk may decline to accept a deed for recording if the deed is not in compliance with this section. Failure to comply with this section shall not affect the validity of any deed.History of Section.P.L. 2006, ch. 309, § 2; P.L. 2007, ch. 340, § 5.
RI Gen L § 31-44.1-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44.1 - Mobile and Manufactured Home Lot Rental Increases|Section 31-44.1-1 - Declaration of policy.

§ 31-44.1-1. Declaration of policy.The general assembly finds and declares that the provision of affordable housing is of vital concern to the citizens of the state, that mobile and manufactured homes are an important source for affordable housing, that lot rent increases for these homes are a continuing concern for low and moderate income citizens and the elderly, and that some form of limited regulation relative to lot rental increases for mobile and manufactured homes is in the public interest.History of Section.P.L. 1991, ch. 216, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 309, § 4.
RI Gen L § 31-44.1-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44.1 - Mobile and Manufactured Home Lot Rental Increases|Section 31-44.1-3 - Severability.

§ 31-44.1-3. Severability.If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subsection, section or part of this chapter is adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the judgment will not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of it but will be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subsection, section or part directly involved in the controversy in which the judgment has been rendered.History of Section.P.L. 1993, ch. 309, § 5.
RI Gen L § 31-44.2-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44.2 - Abandoned Mobile and Manufactured Home Act|Section 31-44.2-1 - Legislative findings and purpose.

§ 31-44.2-1. Legislative findings and purpose.The general assembly finds that abandoned mobile and manufactured homes are a nuisance because they cause blight and depress property values. This act is intended to provide local governments and landowners with the authority to remove abandoned mobile and manufactured homes while protecting property rights.History of Section.P.L. 2014, ch. 255, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 309, § 1.
RI Gen L § 31-44.2-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44.2 - Abandoned Mobile and Manufactured Home Act|Section 31-44.2-2 - Definitions.

§ 31-44.2-2. Definitions.As used in this chapter:(1) "Department" means the department of business regulation.(2) "Mobile and manufactured home" means a detached residential unit designed:(i) For a long-term occupancy and containing sleeping accommodations, a flush toilet, and a tub or shower bath, and kitchen facilities, having both permanent plumbing and electrical connections for attachment to outside systems;(ii) To be transported on its own wheels or on a flatbed or other trailer or detachable wheels; and(iii) To be placed on pads, piers, or tied down, at the site where it is to be occupied as a residence complete and ready for occupancy, except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations and connection to utilities systems.(3) "Abandoned mobile and manufactured home" means a mobile and manufactured home that is:(i) Not connected to electricity or not connected to a source of safe potable water supply sufficient for normal residential needs, or both; or(ii) Not connected to an adequate wastewater disposal system; or(iii) Unoccupied for a period of at least one hundred twenty (120) days and for which there is clear and convincing evidence that the occupant does not intend to return; or(iv) So damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe, or vermin infested that it creates a hazard to the health and safety of the occupants or the public.(4) "Landowner" means the owner of the real property on which an abandoned mobile or manufactured home is located.(5) "Municipality" means the city or town in which the mobile or manufactured home is located.(6) "Licensee" means any person or agent licensed under § 31-44-1.7 who is directly or indirectly engaged in the business of maintaining or operating a mobile- and manufactured-home park under the provisions of chapter 44 of title 31.History of Section.P.L. 2014, ch. 255, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 309, § 1.
RI Gen L § 31-44.2-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles|Chapter 31-44.2 - Abandoned Mobile and Manufactured Home Act|Section 31-44.2-3 - Jurisdiction.

§ 31-44.2-3. Jurisdiction.The district court of this state shall exercise jurisdiction in both law and equity over removal of abandoned mobile or manufactured homes with respect to any conduct in this state governed by this chapter or with respect to any claim arising from a transaction subject to this chapter. In addition to any other method provided by rule or by statute, personal jurisdiction may be acquired in a civil action or proceeding commenced in the court by the service of process in the manner provided herein.History of Section.P.L. 2014, ch. 255, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 309, § 1.