reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 7 - Slum Clearance (§§ 131 — 160) › § 153 - Prevention of slums on public lands—Watchmen to prevent construction of squatters’ houses

The Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby authorized to appoint the necessary number of watchmen to maintain the required vigilance over said lands, with a view to preventing the construction of squatters’ houses thereon; Provided, That the said watchmen may file charges in the competent court for the commission of a public offense in connection with the construction of squatters’ houses on the said lands or for any other offense connected therewith; Provided, further, That the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works shall be authorized to assign other work to the said watchmen in connection with the said lands, additional to the work hereinabove specified.
History —Nov. 21, 1941, No. 15, p. 48, § 2; May 7, 1942, No. 116, p. 694, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 7 - Slum Clearance (§§ 131 — 160) › § 154 - Prevention of slums on public lands—Disposal of appropriation

The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized and directed to place the appropriation herein provided at the disposal of the Secretary of Public Works for the purpose indicated.
History —Nov. 21, 1941, No. 15, p. 48, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 7 - Slum Clearance (§§ 131 — 160) › § 155 - Elimination of dwellings inadequate for residential purposes—Findings

It is hereby determined and declared that the existence and occupation of dwellings in Puerto Rico which are inadequate for residential purposes is contrary to the welfare, and prejudicial and hurtful to the health, safety, and morals of the people of Puerto Rico, and that it is a public necessity to repair or eliminate such dwellings. Whenever any housing authority organized and operating under the provisions of §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title, determines that there are, within its respective area of operations, unoccupied dwellings or those soon to be unoccupied, which are inadequate for residential purposes, due to their ruinous condition, defects which increase the risk of fires, accidents, or other calamities, lack of ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities, or due to other conditions which make such dwellings unsafe and unhygienic, and prejudicial and harmful to health, safety, or morals, or which in any other manner are contrary to the welfare of the residents of such areas of operation, it shall immediately give written notice of such determinations and conditions to the Secretary of Health.
History —May 7, 1941, No. 128, p. 848, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 7 - Slum Clearance (§§ 131 — 160) › § 156 - Elimination of dwellings inadequate for residential purposes—Procedure by Secretary of Health

Upon receiving such notice, the Secretary, if he finds that such conditions exist in regard to any dwelling which make it inadequate for residential purposes in violation of §§ 155—160 of this title or of any act and/or sanitary regulation, shall proceed as follows:
(a) If the dwelling is uninhabited, he shall close it immediately, affixing a notice to that effect in a conspicuous place thereon, and notify the owner thereof or his legal representative, granting him a period of fiteen (15) days from and after the date of said notification, to make the proper repairs or alterations. Said notification must indicate what provision or provisions of §§ 155—160 of this title or of any act or regulation has been violated, and it must specify the repairs and/or alterations that should be done in order to comply with such laws or regulations. The house cannot be occupied nor its occupation permitted until the above-mentioned repairs or alterations have been made. If, at the expiration of the said period of fifteen (15) days granted by the Secretary, the repairs or alterations have not been made, the Secretary shall notify the owner or his legal representative that within the fifteen (15) days from and after the date of such notice, said dwelling will be closed and destroyed as a public nuisance.
(b) If the dwelling is occupied, the Secretary shall proceed in accordance with laws and regulations in force; Provided, That if the dwelling is not repaired or altered within the period fixed, the Secretary, after giving the owner an opportunity to be heard, shall proceed to destroy the dwelling as a public nuisance.
History —May 7, 1941, No. 128, p. 848, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 7 - Slum Clearance (§§ 131 — 160) › § 157 - Elimination of dwellings inadequate for residential purposes—Enforcement powers of Secretary of Health

The Secretary is hereby authorized, empowered, and instructed to begin and effectuate any and all acts and/or orders necessary or advisable for carrying out the provisions, purposes, and intents of §§ 155—160 of this title.
History —May 7, 1941, No. 128, p. 848, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 7 - Slum Clearance (§§ 131 — 160) › § 158 - Elimination of dwellings inadequate for residential purposes—Definitions

The terms “Secretary of Health” or “Secretary”, whenever used or referred to in §§ 155—160 of this title, shall mean the Secretary of Health of Puerto Rico and/or any of his duly authorized agents. The term “Housing Authority”, whenever used or referred to in §§ 155—160 of this title, shall mean any housing authority organized and operated under the provisions of §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title.
History —May 7, 1941, No. 128, p. 848, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 7 - Slum Clearance (§§ 131 — 160) › § 159 - Elimination of dwellings inadequate for residential purposes—Penalties

(a) Any person who intentionally removes or destroys any card or notice of the Secretary which is affixed to a dwelling declared by the Secretary to be inadequate for residential purposes in accordance with §§ 155—160 of this title or any act or sanitary regulation, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten dollars ($10) nor more than fifty dollars ($50), or by imprisonment in jail for a term of not less than ten (10) nor more than thirty (30) days, or by both penalties, in the discretion of the court.
(b) Every owner of an uninhabited dwelling which has been declared inadequate for residential purposes in accordance with §§ 155—160 of this title or any act or sanitary regulation, who leases or rents said dwelling or extends a lease or contract, or who permits any person or persons to occupy said dwelling for any purpose, without first making the repairs or alterations ordered by the Secretary, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100), or by imprisonment for not less than thirty (30) days nor more than ninety (90) days, or by both penalties, in the discretion of the court; and in addition, when he is once convicted, he shall lose all right to claim or receive any rent for said dwelling from the day on which he received the notification of the Secretary until the repairs are duly made.
(c) Any person who, knowingly and wilfully, moves to any unoccupied house which has been declared by the Secretary to be inadequate for residential purposes, in accordance with §§ 155—160 of this title, or any other law or sanitary regulation shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than ten dollars ($10) nor more than fifty dollars ($50), or by imprisonment for not less than ten (10) days nor more than thirty (30) days, or by both penalties, in the discretion of the court.
History —May 7, 1941, No. 128, p. 848, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 7 - Slum Clearance (§§ 131 — 160) › § 160 - Elimination of dwellings inadequate for residential purposes—Report to Housing Authority

The Secretary of Health shall report or cause to be reported from time to time, to each housing authority, or on its request, concerning:
(a) the action taken by the Secretary upon effecting the closing, repair, alteration, or destruction of unsafe or unhygienic dwellings, in accordance with the provisions of §§ 155—160 of this title or any act or sanitary regulations, within the respective area of operation of said authority.
(b) The dates of the closing, repair, alterations, or destruction.
(c) The location of said works.
(d) The conditions making said dwelling unsafe and unhygienic.
History —May 7, 1941, No. 128, p. 848, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 9 - Reasonable Rentals (§§ 181 — 218) › § 215 - Use of funds for repairs by government agencies

The agencies, instrumentalities and public corporations of the Government of Puerto Rico and the municipal governments, including the Government of the Capital, are hereby authorized to use the funds and appropriations they may have available for the rent of buildings and premises, for carrying out the necessary repairs to said buildings and premises, in harmony with the provisions of Act No. 464 on reasonable rents, approved April 25, 1946, as heretofore or hereafter amended, §§ 181—214a of this title.
History —May 8, 1952, No. 209, p. 500, § 1, eff. 90 days after May 8, 1952.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 9 - Reasonable Rentals (§§ 181 — 218) › § 216 - Use of funds for repairs by government agencies—Limitations

The expenses and obligations incurred for carrying out the repairs mentioned in § 215 of this title shall in no case exceed the balance of the available appropriations for the rent of buildings and premises during any fiscal year.
The officers and employees who authorize these repairs shall ascertain that the buildings or premises so repaired are to be retained under lease for a period of time sufficient to recover from the lessors the cost of said repairs.
History —May 8, 1952, No. 209, p. 500, § 2, eff. 90 days after May 8, 1952.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 9 - Reasonable Rentals (§§ 181 — 218) › § 217 - Use of funds for repairs by government agencies—Approval of Planning Board

No obligation whatever shall be contracted under the provisions hereof without the previous approval of the Puerto Rico Planning Board.
History —May 8, 1952, No. 209, p. 500, § 3, eff. 90 days after May 8, 1952.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 9 - Reasonable Rentals (§§ 181 — 218) › § 218 - Use of funds for repairs by government agencies—Rules and regulations

The Secretary of the Treasury of Puerto Rico shall issue such rules as he may deem necessary to enforce the provisions of §§ 215—218 of this title.
History —May 8, 1952, No. 209, p. 500, § 4, eff. 90 days after May 8, 1952.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 15 - Workers Home Foundation (§§ 401 — 410) › § 401 - Creation

A nonprofit corporation is hereby created under the name of “Workers Home Foundation,” hereinafter called the Foundation.
History —June 22, 1966, No. 104, p. 326, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 15 - Workers Home Foundation (§§ 401 — 410) › § 402 - Purposes

The following are the purposes of the Foundation:
(a) To orient and advise the workers, and to coordinate and facilitate the means whereby they may avail themselves of homes of their own at a low cost in good, accessible and convenient sites, under the most favorable financing terms and conditions possible.
(b) To promote saving and investing on the part of labor organizations, in order to facilitate to their members the construction, improvement, or acquisition of adequate homes.
(c) To interest unions and syndicates in investing in mortgages on the houses of the Puerto Rican workers, secured by the Housing Bank and Finance Agency.
(d) To develop other housing-related projects that will benefit the workers and their families.
(e) To achieve a rapport of the various labor organizations, through joint action, in projects beneficial to all workers and the community.
(f) To procure low-cost housing for the Puerto Rican workers under such terms and conditions as may be most favorable to them.
(g) To serve as liaison between the workers in need of houses, the government, and financing and investment sources.
(h) To encourage saving by the workers, and investing by the labor organizations and welfare plans in low-cost housing projects beneficial to the workers, their families, and the community in general.
History —June 22, 1966, No. 104, p. 326, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 15 - Workers Home Foundation (§§ 401 — 410) › § 403 - Tax exemptions

The property and holdings in general of the Foundation shall be exempt from the payment of all kinds of taxes, imposts, fees and excises of any type or nature of the Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its municipalities and other political subdivisions, or of any other entity with taxing power.
History —June 22, 1966, No. 104, p. 326, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 15 - Workers Home Foundation (§§ 401 — 410) › § 404 - Incorporation; directors

The Foundation shall be organized when its incorporators file with the Secretary of State of Puerto Rico the proper certificate of incorporation. It shall be governed by a Governing Board constituted by nine members. Five members shall represent organized labor and shall be elected by the stockholders of the Foundation. The other members of the Board of Directors shall be as follows: the Executive Director of the Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation; a public official designated by the Governor; and the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources. This Board so constituted shall appoint an additional director in representation of the public interest who shall not be an official of a labor union, neither of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, nor of its political subdivisions. Until the Directors are appointed and take office, the signatories of the certificate of incorporation shall handle the affairs and the organization of the Corporation and may take the pertinent measures to this end.
History —June 22, 1966, No. 104, p. 326, § 4; July 28, 2010, No. 100, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 15 - Workers Home Foundation (§§ 401 — 410) › § 405 - Additional director

Upon approval of this chapter and after the Corporation has a paid-in capital of at least $ 25,000, the stockholders shall meet and appoint from among themselves the five representatives of organized labor. Immediately they shall proceed to elect the additional director to represent the public interest.
Thus constituted, the board shall hold its initial meeting under the chairmanship of the Secretary of Labor and Human Resources, at which it shall elect the officials of the institution who shall be: a chairman, a vice chairman, a secretary and a treasurer, from among those who are not government officers.
History —June 22, 1966, No. 104, p. 326, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 15 - Workers Home Foundation (§§ 401 — 410) › § 406 - Term of office of directors

The five directors representing organized labor and the additional director appointed by the board shall be initially appointed for the following term: two for four years, two for three years, two for two years. Upon expiration of such terms, their succesors shall be appointed for terms of four years.
Any vacancy shall be filled by the board with a person with the same representation and for the unexpired term of the director who caused the vacancy.
History —June 22, 1966, No. 104, p. 326, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 15 - Workers Home Foundation (§§ 401 — 410) › § 407 - Main office and branches

The main office of the Foundation shall be in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When the board of directors may deem it necessary branches of this office may be established elsewhere in the Island, as said board may determine.
History —June 22, 1966, No. 104, p. 326, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 15 - Workers Home Foundation (§§ 401 — 410) › § 408 - Funds

The Foundation shall be supported through the issuance of stock, the economic participation of the syndicates, contribution quotas by the beneficiaries, and gifts from institutions and individuals.
History —June 22, 1966, No. 104, p. 326, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 15 - Workers Home Foundation (§§ 401 — 410) › § 409 - Powers

In addition to the powers recognized to Puerto Rican corporations by the laws of Puerto Rico, the Foundation shall have the following powers:
(1) To receive gifts for the aims of this chapter.
(2) To issue stock to be acquired by workers and those labor syndicates interested in the purposes of the Foundation.
(3) To withhold from all transactions made a percentage for the financing of necessary administrative expenses. The percentage to be withheld for services shall be determined by the bylaws of the Foundation.
(4) To contract for services in the name of the Foundation for the development of low-cost housing programs for workers.
(5) To take steps for the acquisition or sale of necessary lands as well as for the provisional and permanent financing therefor.
(6) To prescribe rules for the selection of beneficiaries.
(7) To procure financing for the construction and reconstruction of homes for workers.
(8) To procure market for mortgages on workers’ homes.
(9) To draw up and approve its bylaws which shall make provision for the organization of its general assemblies and everything related with the organization of the Foundation.
(10) To administer for the account of others, housing projects for workers and mortgage loans.
History —June 22, 1966, No. 104, p. 326, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 15 - Workers Home Foundation (§§ 401 — 410) › § 410 - Annual report

The Executive Director of the Foundation shall be under obligation to submit to the board of directors an annual report on the operations and use of the Foundation’s funds. Said report shall be attested to by a firm of certified public accountants and a copy thereof shall be made available in the central offices of the Foundation for examination by any person who may so desire.
History —June 22, 1966, No. 104, p. 326, § 11.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 501 - Short title

This chapter shall be known as the “Act of the Office of the Construction Officer Attached to the Urban Renewal and Housing Administration”.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 502 - Definitions

(a) Person. — Shall mean any natural or [juridical] person.
(b) Office. — Shall mean the Office of the Construction Officer attached to the Urban Renewal and Housing Administration of Puerto Rico.
(c) Construction Officer. — Shall mean the person in charge of directing the Office created by this chapter.
(d) [Developer] or constructor. — Shall mean any person engaged in the construction business as entrepreneur or principal responsible for the promotion, design, sale and construction of urbanization projects for dwellings, or the large scale construction of individual or multistoried dwellings. This term does not include real estate brokers, wherefor they shall not be liable for defects of construction of the houses constructed and covered by this chapter.
It includes the person who assumes total responsibility for presenting before the Planning Board consultations on the location and use of lands, and before the Permit Management Office preliminary development, preliminary and final plans for the construction of the works on a large parcel of land to be subdivided for the construction of dwellings (single or multifamily), or who commissions others to carry out any such activities.
It shall also include any person who develops parcels or lots of land in a larger number than permitted as simple subdivision in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Planning Board or the Regulations and Permits Administration, or who builds houses or apartments for sale, lease, or other use, in a number exceeding 20, as one single project.
It shall not include the governments of the United States, the Commonwealth, its political subdivisions, public corporations nor municipalities.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 2; June 9, 1976, No. 160, p. 502, § 1; July 20, 1979, No. 137, p. 323, § 1; Apr. 26, 1994, No. 10, § 41; Aug. 13, 1994, No. 85, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 503 - Creation

(a) There is hereby created, attached to the Urban Renewal and Housing Administration, created by §§ 21—25 of this title, the Office of the Construction Officer. The Governor shall appoint the Construction Officer with the consent and approval of the Senate of Puerto Rico for a term of four (4) years, who shall remain in office until his successor is appointed and qualifies. The Governor may remove from office the Construction Officer upon previous notice and hearing, for disorderly or incorrect behavior, or negligence in the fulfillment of the functions of his employment.
(b) The Construction Officer shall draw an annual salary of sixteen thousand dollars ($16,000).
(c) The Construction Officer shall promulgate the regulations which may be necessary and proper for the carrying out of this chapter, upon the previous holding of a public hearing in which an opportunity is given to the public to express itself in relation thereto. This requirement shall not be applicable to bylaws. The date, hour and place for the holding of said hearings shall be announced in two newspapers of general circulation at least fifteen (15) days in advance. The regulations approved herein shall have force of law upon compliance with the provisions of Act No. 112 of June 30, 1957. An official seal shall also be adopted which shall be stamped on every license issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and on the official documents that it may grant.
(d) The Office of the Construction Officer shall be located in the City of San Juan, but the Construction Officer may exercise each and every one of its powers or obligations in any place in Puerto Rico.
(e) Any power, duty, faculty or function vested in or assigned to the Construction Officer in this chapter or in the regulations approved thereunder may be exercised, fulfilled or discharged by a representative thereof in behalf of the latter and through his expressed authority.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 505 - License

(a) Nine months from and after the effectiveness of this act, it shall be unlawful for any urbanizer or constructor to engage in the home construction business in Puerto Rico, without having first obtained a license issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Every license so issued shall fall due three (3) years from the date of its issuance, and may be renewed for an equal term provided that the requirements of this chapter have been complied with. The license issued to [a developer] or constructor shall be untransferable and when same is issued to [a juridical] person, the changes in its control shall be notified to the Construction Officer, who may require the issuance of a new license. For the purposes of this subsection the term “control” shall mean the power to, directly or indirectly, direct or decisively influence in the administration or norms of the [juridical] person.
(b) The Construction Officer may issue provisional licenses for two (2) years to every person who qualifies in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, lacking previous experience in Puerto Rico in the urbanizing and construction business.
(c) No license shall be issued by the Construction Officer to a home [developer] or constructor who refuses responsibility for the totality of the projects to be carried out by said person. The license shall be issued to such person who shall be responsible for all the construction defects in the homes.
(d) The fees to be paid for the issuance of licenses authorized by this section are fixed at seventy-five dollars ($75) for the regular license of three (3) years and at fifty dollars ($50) for the provisional license of two (2) years duration.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 506 - License—Requirements

Every [developer] or constructor who must obtain or renew a permanent or provisional license to engage in the home urbanization or construction business in Puerto Rico shall file a petition under oath on the blank forms, which to such effects the Construction Officer shall adopt and provide, in which he shall inform, in addition to what is required through regulation, the following:
(a) Name and address of the petitioner; the address of all the member representatives of the firm, if a partnership; name and address of all directors, officers and of the resident agent, if a corporation.
(b) Certified copy of the corporate charter of a partnership or of the certificate of incorporation as it was on the date of the filing of the petition.
(c) Urbanization or construction projects which are being carried out or which he intends to carry out, should this last fact be known.
(d) Evidence that the petitioner has the necessary technical knowledge in the projects which he is carrying out or intends to carry out, as well as the number, kind and type of projects constructed prior to the date of his petition and value thereof.
(e) Capital and available credit.
(f) Information proving that the petitioner has an organization capable of providing services subsequent to the delivery of the urbanization or construction.
In the case of provisional licenses the report on urbanization or construction projects carried out in Puerto Rico shall not be required.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 507 - License—Revocation; causes

When the Construction Officer, upon prior notice and holding of an administrative hearing, determines that [a developer] or constructor holding a license under the provisions of this chapter, has incurred in any of the acts or omissions hereinafter provided, he may revoke said license through order to that effect, the revocation of a license, when it occurs, shall be published by the Construction Officer in a newspaper of general circulation for public knowledge.
The causes for revocation are the following:
(a) For supplying incorrect information on a material aspect on requesting the license.
(b) Failure to keep records of his works as home [developer] or constructor, as provided through regulation.
(c) For incompetently or negligently constructing any urbanization or dwelling units.
(d) For not complying with the provisions of a final and enforceable order of the Construction Officer, ordering the repair of construction defects in a home, or imposing on said person an administrative fine.
(e) For committing any intentional or fraudulent act which may cause the home buyer substantial damage.
(f) To establish as requirement for the purchase of a house, the acquisition of electric appliances by the homebuyer.
(g) Incur in any of the undesirable practices in the construction business hereinafter stated.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 7; June 27, 1968, No. 141, p. 400, § 1; June 9, 1976, No. 160, p. 502, § 3, eff. 60 days after June 9, 1976.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 508 - Bond

The Construction Officer may, after carrying out the necessary surveys on the subject, require of the [developer] or constructor that at time of the execution of the final deed of sale of the dwelling the post a bond or insurance for a sum not greater than ten percent (10%) of the selling price of said dwelling. The Construction Officer may reduce said percentage taking into account the cost of the premium, the availability of the insurance in the Puerto Rican market and the best commercial practice compatible with the greatest protection for the buyer. Said bond or insurance shall be in force for a minimum term of two (2) years from the date of the execution of the final deed of sale of the dwelling. The bond or insurance shall be to guarantee the expenses for repair and correction of defects in the construction, and it may be in cash, pignorative, hypothecary or solidary, to be written by a guaranty or bond company or corporation authorized to do business in Puerto Rico. In the cases where the bond is in cash, it shall be given before the Secretary of the Treasury and shall be kept in a special account; in the other cases the bond or insurance document shall be delivered to the Construction Officer.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 8; June 9, 1976, No. 160, p. 502, § 4, eff. 60 days after June 9, 1976.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 509 - Undesirable practices

Any [developer] or constructor shall incur in undesirable practice in the housing construction business who:
(a) Publishes, causes to publish, or divulges in any way, advertisements, statements or informations in which the terms under which lots or dwelling units may be acquired are tergiversated or exaggerated or offers false or deceitful information or estimates regarding the price or other conditions for the purchase of lots or dwelling units.
(b) Requests or accepts deposits or advances in money for the holding of dwelling units in projects whose preliminary developments or preliminary plans have not been previously approved by the Planning Board, except when said advances or deposits be with the purpose of testing the market in order to know the intensity of the demand and same is a nominal sum not exceeding twenty-five dollars ($25).
(c) Alters or modifies the plans of a dwelling or model approved by the Planning Board and/or the Permit Management Office; Provided, That any petition for amendment to the plans or specifications of the project, filed with the Planning Board and/or the Permit Management Office, shall be preceded by a notice served by the [developer] or constructor on the optionees and/or buyers, by return-receipt registered mail, at least twenty (20) days prior to the filing of the amendments requested therein.
(d) Falsely certifies or causes to be certified that a dwelling or group of dwellings, urbanization or multi-family project has been constructed in accordance with the plans approved by the Planning Board or the Permit Management Office, or falsely certifies or causes to be certified the condition of the work carried out in his project in order to obtain financing or partial payments of the loan.
(e) Fails to correct a construction defect in a dwelling as defined by regulation put into effect by the Construction Officer.
(f) Does not include in the contract, where there is transferred, ceded or conveyed, for any permitted reason, an urbanization in construction, a clause in which there is stated who shall assume the obligations with the buyer in case there should be discovered defects in the construction.
(g) Fails to submit to the Construction Officer such contracts and documents wherein the agreements are adopted in connection with the development, construction, financing, promotion and sale of his urbanization or housing project, as may be required under § 504 of this title.
(h) Having failed to submit to the Construction Officer the format of the contract of option, promise and/or purchase-sale, and not having obtained his approval prior to the execution of any of them.
(i) To carry out any act or activity covered by this chapter without having a license granted by the Construction Officer.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 9; June 9, 1976, No. 160, p. 502, § 5, eff. 60 days after June 9, 1976.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 511 - Filing, investigation and adjustments of complaints

Any optionee or any buyer of a dwelling may file in the Department of Consumer Affairs a complaint alleging that the [developer] or constructor of his dwelling has incurred an undesirable construction practice or has violated any of the provisions of this chapter, persuant to the provisions of §§ 341e and 341n of Title 3.
The procedures to claim liability for the construction flaws or defects shall expire in two (2) years from the granting of the bill of sale with the exception of those that qualify under § 4124 of Title 31.
Upon filing the complaint, the complainant shall state that he has previously required the [developer] or constructor to remedy the undesirable construction practice or to comply with the pertinent provision, without the latter having done so.
In the investigation, prosecution, adjudication and disposition of the complaints and charges brought before his consideration under the provisions of this chapter, the Secretary shall use all the powers and faculties conferred upon him by §§ 341—341v of Title 3.
When the resolution, order or decision of the Secretary as to the complaint has become fine and binding, the latter shall notify the bondsman or insurer, in case a bond or insurance has been posted, so that he may give the complainant the necessary amount to cover the expense of repairing or correcting the construction defects which has been established as reasonable in the administrative decision.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 11; June 9, 1976, No. 160, p. 502, § 7; July 20, 1979, No. 137, p. 323, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 512 - Administrative hearings

In case that, in accordance with this chapter, a hearing is required, same shall be held by the Construction Officer, his representative, or an examiner appointed by him for such purposes, in such manner permitting the parties to offer every evidence and to argue their case as extensively as the swiftest explanation of the matter may permit. The fundamental principles of the law of evidence shall be followed interpreted in the most liberal form and without being subject to technicalities.
In cases in which the hearing is held to discuss complaints, the person who carried out the preliminary investigation shall not preside over the same.
Any person may appear personally or through his attorney, interrogate witnesses and offer the evidence in his power to prove his case.
The Construction Officer or his duly appointed representative shall be empowered to issue summons requiring the appearance and testimonies of witnesses and presentation of documental evidence and to administer oaths for such purpose. The summons or notification to any person, party or witnesses shall be made personally.
In the case of refusal to obey a summons or notification issued by the Construction Officer, any Part of the Court of First Instance within whose jurisdiction the person guilty of such refusal is found, resides or has business, shall have, on its own request, jurisdiction to issue against said person an order requiring his appearance before the Construction Officer or his agents to present evidence, if so ordered, or to declare in relation with the matter under investigation and any disobedience to said order of the court may be punished by the said court as contempt. No person may refuse to comply with a summons of the Construction Officer or of his duly authorized representative, or with a judicial order so issued, alleging that the testimony or evidence required may incriminate or cause the imposition of a penalty. But such testimony or evidence shall not be presented against a natural person in a penal proceeding.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 12.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 513 - Reconsideration and judicial review

The resolutions, orders and decisions of the Secretary may be the object of reconsideration and judicial review pursuant to the proceedings provided in §§ 341o and 341p of Title 3.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 13; June 9, 1976, No. 160, p. 502, § 8, eff. 60 days after June 9, 1976.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 514 - False certificates

When the Construction Officer finds that an engineer or architect has falsely certified that a dwelling has been constructed in accordance with the plans approved by the Planning Board or the Permit Management Office, or has falsely certified the condition of the work done in an urbanization project, he shall notify said fact to the Secretary of Justice, who may file the corresponding complaint before the Board of Examiners of Engineers, Architects and Surveyors in accordance with the provisions of Act No. 399 of May 10, 1951.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 14; June 9, 1976, No. 160, p. 502, § 9, eff. 60 days after June 9, 1976.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 515 - Advertisements and publications

Every advertisement, contract, correspondence, document, card, sign or any form of publicity shall indicate the name and address of the [developer] or constructor responsible for the development of the project.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 516 - Administrative fines

The Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, upon previous adequate notice and administrative hearing, may impose an administrative fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) on every urbanizer or constructor who violates the provisions of §§ 501—519 of this title, its regulations or any order or resolution issued by the Department.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 16; June 7, 1973, No. 116, p. 473.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 517 - Construction

Nothing herein provided shall be construed as a restriction or limitation to the right that through the Civil Code of Puerto Rico, or through any other law, is granted in cases of claims covered by this chapter.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 17.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 518 - Penalties

Every urbanizer or constructor who violates the provisions of this chapter or its regulations shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction by a court, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or to imprisonment in jail for not more than six (6) months. Provided, That in case of violation of §§ 508 and 510(g) of this title he shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction by a court, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), or to imprisonment in jail for not less than six (6) months nor more than five (5) years, or both, in the discretion of the court.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 13, p. 406, § 18; June 9, 1976, No. 160, p. 502, § 10, eff. 60 days after June 9, 1976.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 17 - Office of the Construction Officer (§§ 501 — 519) › § 519 - Appropriation

The sum of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000) is hereby appropriated from any available funds in the Commonwealth Treasury for the purposes of providing funds for the organization of the Office and to defray the operation expenses for the fiscal year 1967-68. The necessary appropriation for subsequent years shall be included in the General Budget of Expenses of the Government of Puerto Rico.
History —June 13, 1967, No. 130, p. 406, § 19.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 19 - Regulation for Building or Structure Devoted to Rent for Residential Purposes (§§ 601-617 — 619) › § 618 - New construction of residential apartment buildings

It is hereby directed that all new construction of residential apartment buildings, from and after January 1, 2000, be required to have a stopcock for the flow of water installed inside the residential unit. In those cases that the residence is to be submitted to the horizontal property regime, it is provided that a second stopcock shall be installed outside of the apartment.
History —July 24, 1999, No. 165, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 19 - Regulation for Building or Structure Devoted to Rent for Residential Purposes (§§ 601-617 — 619) › § 619 - Regulations

It is provided that the Permit Management Office, attached to the Puerto Rico Planning Board, shall make the corresponding regulatory provisions to enforce this section and § 618 of this title.
History —July 24, 1999, No. 165, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 21 - Commonwealth Subsidy Plan for Interest on Mortgage Markets (§§ 651 — 661f) › § 651 - Definitions

The following terms used in §§ 651-660c of this title shall be defined as follows:
New construction.— Any dwelling which has been constructed but not occupied, which is being constructed and/or is going to be constructed.
Adjusted monthly income.— Means one-twelfth (1/12) part of the annual income of the family after deducting therefrom the credits provided in § 654 of this title.
Moderate-income family.— Means any family of two or more persons whose income is higher than that of a family whose income renders such family ineligible to occupy public housing projects constructed and managed by the Housing Finance Authority, the Department of Housing, and/or entities attached thereto, and at the same time is so low as not to enable it to rent or buy an adequate, safe, and hygienic dwelling constructed by a private company. There shall also be considered as family of moderate income any family of two or more persons which, though eligible to occupy a public dwelling, has sufficient income to acquire in lease or by purchase a house built under the provisions of §§ 651—660c of this title.
The Housing Finance Authority shall determine, from time to time, the maximum income of the families taking advantage of this program.
History —July 5, 1973, No. 10, p. 771, § 1; Nov. 14, 1974, No. 6, Part 2, p. 727, § 1; June 22, 1975, No. 69, p. 172; Aug. 4, 2012, No. 152, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 21 - Commonwealth Subsidy Plan for Interest on Mortgage Markets (§§ 651 — 661f) › § 652 - Creation of program

The Housing Finance Authority is hereby authorized to take the necessary steps to assist said families so that they may acquire or rent newly-built housing. Any public or private entity, including the Cooperative Development Administration, may construct dwellings under the terms and conditions established in §§ 651–660c of this title and the regulations. The families to which the dwellings are sold may avail themselves of the subsidy provided in §§ 651–660c of this title. The dwellings so developed may be financed through any financing method available in the market or in accordance with the low-cost housing program ordered by §§ 86–94 of this title, and § 45a of this title.
History —July 5, 1973, No. 10, p. 771, § 2; Oct. 26, 1973, No. 4, p. 859; Aug. 4, 2012, No. 152, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 21 - Commonwealth Subsidy Plan for Interest on Mortgage Markets (§§ 651 — 661f) › § 653 - Purpose; limitation; interest

The subsidy shall consist of reducing the cost of the interest in the mortgage market guaranteed by dwellings, to a minimum interest cost of 1% [annually, provided the family can pay the monthly installment of the mortgage at 1%] with 20% of its adjusted monthly income.
The subsidy authorized herein shall not be tendered to any dwelling unit located in a project in which the average price per unit exceeds that established by regulations or herein. For a family to avail itself of the subsidy authorized herein in the purchase of a dwelling of an average price in excess of $25,000, it shall pay the monthly installments of the mortgage at an interest rate which shall not be less than 3%.
If the 20% of the adjusted monthly income results in a higher monthly installment, the family shall be bound to pay said amount.
History —July 5, 1973, No. 10, p. 771, § 3; Oct. 26, 1973, No. 4, p. 859; June 20, 1978, No. 11, p. 394, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 21 - Commonwealth Subsidy Plan for Interest on Mortgage Markets (§§ 651 — 661f) › § 653a - Creation of a board; composition and functions

The Housing Finance Authority is hereby authorized to fix, through regulations, when the market conditions require it, the average maximum price per unit under which a subsidy in the mortgage interest shall be granted to moderate-income families that acquire newly-built housing under the terms of §§ 651-660c of this title.
History —July 5, 1973, No. 10, p. 771, added as § 3A on June 20, 1978, No. 11, p. 394, § 2; Aug. 4, 2012, No. 152, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 21 - Commonwealth Subsidy Plan for Interest on Mortgage Markets (§§ 651 — 661f) › § 654 - Schedule of adjusted monthly income

The adjusted monthly income shall be equal to one-twelfth (1/12) part of the total income of the family after deducting the following credits:
(1) 10% of the annual gross income for payroll deductions.
(2) $ 300 for each unemployed dependent under 21 years.
(3) $ 300 for any member of the family over 65 years with no income.
(4) $ 300 for any member of the family physically or mentally disabled.
(5) $ 300 for each dependent over 21 years pursuing university studies.
The amount of the adjusted monthly income shall be computed at the time of determining the subsidy corresponding to the interested family.
History —July 5, 1973, No. 10, p. 771, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 21 - Commonwealth Subsidy Plan for Interest on Mortgage Markets (§§ 651 — 661f) › § 655 - Socio-economic investigation

To determine the amount of the initial subsidy in each case, the Housing Finance Authority shall carry out a socio-economic investigation of the families interested in said subsidy.
History —July 5, 1973, No. 10, p. 771, § 5; Aug. 4, 2012, No. 152, § 1.