Chapter 101

101.952 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 186; 2005 a. 45; 2011 a. 146; 2017 a. 331.

101.953 101.953 Warranty and disclosure.

101.953(1) (1) A one-year written warranty is required for every new manufactured home sold, or leased to another, by a manufactured home manufacturer, manufactured home dealer or manufactured home salesperson in this state, and for every new manufactured home sold by any person who induces a resident of the state to enter into the transaction by personal solicitation in this state or by mail or telephone solicitation directed to the particular consumer in this state. The warranty shall contain all of the following:

101.953(1)(a) (a) A statement that the manufactured home meets those standards prescribed by law or administrative rule of the department of administration or of the department of safety and professional services that are in effect at the time of the manufacture of the manufactured home.

101.953(1)(b) (b) A statement that the manufactured home is free from defects in material and workmanship and is reasonably fit for human habitation if it receives reasonable care and maintenance as defined by rule of the department.

101.953(1)(c) (c)

101.953(1)(c)1. 1. A statement that the manufactured home manufacturer and manufactured home dealer shall take corrective action for defects that become evident within one year from the delivery date and as to which the manufactured home owner has given notice to the manufacturer or dealer not later than one year and 10 days after the delivery date and at the address set forth in the warranty; and that the manufactured home manufacturer and manufactured home dealer shall make the appropriate adjustments and repairs, within 30 days after notification of the defect, at the site of the manufactured home without charge to the manufactured home owner. If the manufactured home dealer makes the adjustment, the manufactured home manufacturer shall fully reimburse the dealer.

101.953(1)(c)2. 2. If a repair, replacement, substitution or alteration is made under the warranty and it is discovered, before or after expiration of the warranty period, a statement that the repair, replacement, substitution or alteration has not restored the manufactured home to the condition in which it was warranted except for reasonable wear and tear, such failure shall be considered a violation of the warranty and the manufactured home shall be restored to the condition in which it was warranted to be at the time of the sale except for reasonable wear and tear, at no cost to the purchaser or the purchaser’s assignee notwithstanding that the additional repair may occur after the expiration of the warranty period.

101.953(1)(d) (d) A statement that if during any period of time after notification of a defect the manufactured home is uninhabitable, as defined by rule of the department, that period of time shall not be considered part of the one-year warranty period.

101.953(1)(e) (e) A list of all parts and equipment not covered by the warranty.

101.953(2) (2) Action by a lessee to enforce the lessee’s rights under this subchapter shall not be grounds for termination of the rental agreement.

101.953(3) (3) The warranty required under this section shall apply to the manufacturer of the manufactured home as well as to the manufactured home dealer who sells or leases the manufactured home to the consumer, and shall be in addition to any other rights and privileges that the consumer may have under any instrument or law. The waiver of any remedies under any law and the waiver, exclusion, modification or limitation of any warranty, express or implied, including the implied warranty of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, is expressly prohibited. Any such waiver is void.

101.953(4) (4) The transfer of a manufactured home from one manufactured home owner to another during the effective period of the warranty does not terminate the warranty, and subsequent manufactured home owners shall be entitled to the full protection of the warranty for the duration of the warranty period as if the original manufactured home owner had not transferred the manufactured home.

101.953 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185; 2011 a. 32.

101.954 101.954 Sale or lease of used manufactured homes. In the sale or lease of any used manufactured home, the sales invoice or lease agreement shall contain the point of manufacture of the used manufactured home, the name of the manufacturer and the name and address of the previous owner of the manufactured home.

101.954 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53.

101.955 101.955 Jurisdiction and venue over out-of-state manufacturers.

101.955(1) (1) The importation of a manufactured home for sale in this state by an out-of-state manufacturer is considered an irrevocable appointment by that manufacturer of the department of financial institutions to be that manufacturer’s true and lawful attorney upon whom may be served all legal processes in any action or proceeding against such manufacturer arising out of the importation of such manufactured home into this state.

101.955(2) (2) The department of financial institutions upon whom processes and notices may be served under this section shall, upon being served with such process or notice, mail a copy by registered mail to the out-of-state manufacturer at the nonresident address given in the papers so served. The original shall be returned with proper certificate of service attached for filing in court as proof of service. The service fee shall be $4 for each defendant so served. The department of financial institutions shall keep a record of all such processes and notices, which record shall show the day and hour of service.

101.955 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53.

101.96 101.96 Manufactured home installation regulated.

101.96(1) (1) Installation standards.

101.96(1)(a) (a) Promulgation of standards. The department shall, by rule, establish installation standards for the safe installation of manufactured homes in this state. In promulgating rules under this paragraph, the department shall consider the recommendations of the manufactured housing code council under s. 101.933.

101.96(1)(b) (b) Enforcement of standards. The department shall, by rule, establish a method for ensuring compliance with the rules promulgated under par. (a). The department shall require inspections of manufactured home installations by 3rd-party inspectors licensed by the department. The department shall, by rule, establish criteria for the licensure of 3rd-party inspectors that include a requirement that an individual may not serve as a 3rd-party inspector if the individual is, is employed by, or is an independent contractor of any of the following:

101.96(1)(b)1. 1. A manufactured home manufacturer who was directly involved in the sale of the particular manufactured home.

101.96(1)(b)2. 2. A manufactured home salesperson who was directly involved in the sale of the particular manufactured home.

101.96(1)(b)3. 3. An installer who was directly involved in the sale of the particular manufactured home.

101.96(2) (2) Manufactured home installers.

101.96(2)(a) (a) License required; exceptions; liability. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, beginning on January 1, 2007, no person may act as an installer in this state unless the person is a licensed installer or employs one or more licensed installers to generally supervise each of the person’s installations of manufactured homes in this state. This requirement does not apply to an individual who installs a manufactured home on his or her own property for his or her personal use or to an individual who installs a manufactured home under the general supervision of a licensed installer. A licensed installer is liable for all acts and omissions related to the installation of each individual who performs an installation under the licensed installer’s general supervision.

101.96(2)(b) (b) License eligibility. The department may issue an installer’s license only to an individual to whom all of the following apply:

101.96(2)(b)1. 1. The individual is at least 18 years old.

101.96(2)(b)2. 2. The individual files with the department a license application on a form prescribed by the department.

101.96(2)(b)3. 3. The individual completes, to the satisfaction of the department, an examination approved by the department that tests the skills necessary to properly install manufactured homes and knowledge of the laws applicable to manufactured home installation.

101.96(2)(b)4. 4. The individual has not been found responsible in any judicial or administrative forum for any violation of this section during the 2 years before the date on which the individual’s license application is submitted.

101.96(2)(b)5. 5. The individual has not been found responsible in any judicial or administrative forum during the 2 years before the date on which the individual’s license application is submitted for any failure to perform an installation of a manufactured home as required under contract or for defrauding any person with regard to the provision of installation services.

101.96(2)(b)6. 6. The individual meets the standards of financial responsibility established by rule of the department.

101.96(2)(br) (br) Examination waiver. The department shall, by rule, establish a procedure under which it may waive the examination requirement under par. (b) 3. for individuals that demonstrate sufficient experience installing manufactured homes including active participation in the installation of at least 10 manufactured homes. This paragraph does not apply after June 1, 2007.

101.96(2)(c) (c) License term and fee. The department, by rule shall establish the term of installers’ licenses and the conditions under which the department may revoke or suspend installers’ licenses. The department shall establish an initial installer’s license fee and license renewal fee by rule under s. 101.19.

101.96 History History: 2005 a. 45.

101.96 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. SPS 305.327 and ch. SPS 320, Wis. adm. code.

101.965 101.965 Penalties.

101.965(1) (1) Any person who violates ss. 101.953 to 101.955, or any rule promulgated under ss. 101.953 to 101.955, may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both.

101.965(1p) (1p) Any person who violates s. 101.96 or any rule promulgated under that section may be required to forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $500 for each violation. Each day of continued violation constitutes a separate violation.

101.965(1t) (1t) Upon request of the department, the attorney general may commence an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin any installer from installing a manufactured home in violation of s. 101.96 (2).

101.965(2) (2) In any court action brought by the department for violations of this subchapter, the department may recover all costs of testing and investigation, in addition to costs otherwise recoverable, if it prevails in the action.

101.965(3) (3) Nothing in this subchapter prohibits the bringing of a civil action against a manufactured home manufacturer, manufactured home dealer or manufactured home salesperson by an aggrieved consumer. If judgment is rendered for the consumer based on an act or omission by the manufactured home manufacturer, manufactured home dealer or manufactured home salesperson, that constituted a violation of this subchapter, the plaintiff shall recover actual and proper attorney fees in addition to costs otherwise recoverable.

101.965 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185; 2005 a. 45.

subch. VII of ch. 101 SUBCHAPTER VII

ELEVATORS, ESCALATORS,
AND OTHER CONVEYANCES

101.981 101.981 Definitions; modification by rule.

101.981(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), in this subchapter:

101.981(1)(a) (a) “Amusement or thrill ride” has the meaning given s. 101.19 (1b) (b).

101.981(1)(b) (b) “Belt manlift” means a power-driven, looped belt equipped with steps or platforms and a hand hold for the transportation of people from one floor of a building or structure to another.

101.981(1)(c) (c) “Conveyance” means an elevator, an escalator, a dumbwaiter, a belt manlift, a moving walkway, a platform lift, and a stairway chair lift, and any other similar device, such as an automated people mover, used to elevate or move people or things, as provided in the rules of the department. “Conveyance” does not include a personnel hoist; a material hoist; a grain elevator; a lift as defined in s. 167.33 (1) (f); an amusement or thrill ride; or a vertical platform lift, inclined platform lift, or a stairway chair lift that serves an individual residential dwelling unit.

101.981(1)(d) (d) “Dumbwaiter” means a hoisting and lowering mechanism that satisfies all of the following conditions:

101.981(1)(d)1. 1. Is equipped with a compartment that moves in guides in a substantially vertical direction and has a floor area of not more than 9 square feet.

101.981(1)(d)2. 2. Has a maximum lifting and lowering capacity of not more than 500 pounds.

101.981(1)(d)3. 3. Is used exclusively for carrying materials.

101.981(1)(e) (e) “Elevator” means a hoisting or lowering machine, other than a dumbwaiter, equipped with a compartment or platform that moves in guides and serves 2 or more floors or landings of a building or structure.

101.981(1)(f) (f) “Escalator” means a power-driven, moving stairway used for raising and lowering people.

101.981(1)(g) (g) “Material hoist” means a hoist, other than a personnel hoist, that is used to raise or lower materials during construction, alteration, or demolition of a building or structure.

101.981(1)(h) (h) “Personnel hoist” means a hoist that is installed inside or outside a building or structure during the construction, alteration, or demolition of the building or structure and that is used to raise and lower workers, other personnel, and materials which the hoist is designed to carry.

101.981(2) (2) The department shall promulgate rules establishing additional definitions to the extent the department deems necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of this subchapter. The department, by rule, may modify definitions established under sub. (1). To the extent practicable, the department shall ensure that any definitions or modifications promulgated under this subsection are consistent with national, industry-wide safety standards governing matters regulated by this subchapter.

101.981 History History: 2005 a. 456; 2011 a. 32, 199, 209.

101.982 101.982 Conveyance safety code. The department shall promulgate rules establishing standards for the safe installation and operation of conveyances. In promulgating rules under this section the department shall consider the recommendations of the conveyance safety code council under s. 101.986. The rules shall be consistent, to the extent practicable, with national, industry-wide safety standards applicable to conveyances. The rules shall require any testing of conveyances or related equipment required under the rules to be performed by an elevator mechanic licensed under s. 101.985 (2). The rules shall require any person who installs a new conveyance to give the owner of the building in which the conveyance is installed, before the conveyance is placed in operation, a written certification indicating that the installation complies with the rules promulgated under this section. The rules shall include an enforcement procedure and a procedure pursuant to which the department may grant a variance from the rules if the variance would not jeopardize public safety.

101.982 History History: 2005 a. 456.

101.983 101.983 Approvals and permits for conveyances required.

101.983(1) (1) Construction, installation, and alteration.

101.983(1)(a) (a) Approval required. No person may construct, install, or alter a conveyance in this state unless an elevator contractor licensed by the department under s. 101.985 (1) has received an approval for the construction, installation, or alteration from the department.

101.983(1)(b) (b) Application. A person applying for an approval under par. (a) shall include, along with the application, copies of specifications and accurately scaled and fully dimensioned plans showing the location of the construction, installation, or alteration in relation to the plans and elevation of the building; the location of the applicable machinery room, if any, and the equipment to be constructed, installed, or altered; and all structural supporting members relevant to the construction, installation, or alteration, including foundations. The specifications and plans shall be sufficiently complete to illustrate all details of design and construction, installation, or alteration. The application shall specify all materials to be used and all loads to be supported or conveyed. The department may authorize a person to include the application and other information required under this paragraph with any submission required under s. 101.12 (1) to avoid duplicative filing of information.

101.983(1)(c) (c) Revocation. The department may revoke an approval issued under this subsection if the department finds any of the following:

101.983(1)(c)1. 1. That information submitted under par. (b) by the person obtaining the approval contains false statements or misrepresentations of material fact.

101.983(1)(c)2. 2. That the approval was issued in error.

101.983(1)(c)3. 3. That the work performed under the approval is not consistent with information submitted under par. (b) by the person obtaining the approval or is in violation of this subchapter or rules promulgated under this subchapter.

101.983(1)(d) (d) Expiration. An approval issued under this subsection expires under any of the following circumstances:

101.983(1)(d)1. 1. If the work authorized under the approval is not commenced within 6 months after the date on which the approval is issued, or within a shorter period of time as specified by the department at the time the approval is issued.

101.983(1)(d)2. 2. If the work authorized under the approval is suspended or abandoned for 60 consecutive days at any time following the commencement of the work, or for a shorter period of time as specified by the department at the time the approval is issued.

101.983(2) (2) Operating permits; inspections.

101.983(2)(a) (a) Operating permit required. No person may allow a conveyance to be operated on property owned by the person unless the person has received a permit under this subsection from the department that authorizes its operation.

101.983(2)(b) (b) Application. For a newly installed conveyance, the elevator contractor that contracted to perform the installation shall apply for the initial permit required under par. (a) on behalf of the owner of the building in which the conveyance is located. Applications for renewal of the permit shall be made by the owner.

101.983(2)(c) (c) Inspections. The department may not issue or renew a permit for a conveyance under this subsection unless the department or an independent inspector has conducted an inspection of the conveyance and has prepared an inspection report certifying that the conveyance complies with this subchapter and any applicable rules promulgated under this subchapter. Any inspection under this subsection or sub. (3) shall be performed by an inspector who is licensed under s. 101.985 (3).

101.983(2)(cm) (cm) Instruction on operation. When issuing or renewing a permit under this subsection, the department shall give the owner notice of relevant conveyance safety requirements and shall instruct the owner as to the procedure for obtaining periodic inspections and renewing the permit under which the conveyance is operated.

101.983(2)(d) (d) Term and posting requirements. A permit issued under this subsection has a term of one year. The owner of the building or residence in which a conveyance is located shall display the permit under par. (a) applicable to the conveyance on or in the conveyance or, if applicable, in the machinery room.

101.983(2)(e) (e) Exemption. This subsection does not apply to elevators or dumbwaiters that serve individual residential dwelling units.

101.983(3) (3) Inspections; individual residential dwelling units. If the owner and a prospective buyer of an individual residential dwelling unit that is served by a dumbwaiter or an elevator enter into a contract of sale for the unit that includes a provision requiring that the dumbwaiter or elevator be inspected, the inspection shall be performed by an elevator inspector licensed under s. 101.985 (3).

101.983(4) (4) Municipalities as agents. The department may appoint a city or village as its agent to do any of the following:

101.983(4)(a) (a) Issue approvals under sub. (1) (a).

101.983(4)(b) (b) Issue or renew permits under sub. (2) (a).

101.983(4)(c) (c) Conduct inspections and prepare inspection reports as provided under sub. (2) (c) and sub. (3).