218.12
218.12
Mobile home dealer salespersons regulated. 218.12(1)(1) No person may engage in the business of selling mobile homes to the ultimate consumer or to the retail market in this state without a license therefor from the licensor. If a mobile home dealer acts as a mobile home salesperson the dealer shall secure a mobile home salesperson's license in addition to the license for engaging as a mobile home dealer.
218.12(2)(a)(a) Applications for mobile home salesperson's license and renewals thereof shall be made to the licensor on such forms as the licensor prescribes and furnishes and shall be accompanied by the license fee required under
par. (c) or
(d). The application shall include the applicant's social security number. In addition, the application shall require such pertinent information as the licensor requires.
218.12(2)(am)1.1. The licensor shall deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a license if an individual has not included his or her social security number in the application.
218.12(2)(am)2.
2. The licensor may not disclose a social security number obtained under
par. (a) to any person except to the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of administering
s. 49.22 or to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under
s. 73.0301.
218.12(2)(b)1.1. The licensor shall promulgate rules establishing the license period under this section.
218.12(2)(b)2.
2. The licensor may promulgate rules establishing a uniform expiration date for all licenses issued under this section.
218.12(2)(c)
(c) Except as provided in
par. (d), the fee for a license issued under this section equals $4 multiplied by the number of years in the license period. The fee shall be prorated if the license period is not evenly divisible into years.
218.12(2)(d)
(d) If the licensor issues a license under this section during the license period, the fee for the license shall equal $4 multiplied by the number of calendar years, including parts of calendar years, during which the license remains in effect. A fee determined under this paragraph may not exceed the license fee for the entire license period under
par. (c).
218.12(3)
(3) Every licensee shall carry his or her license when engaged in his or her business and display the same upon request. The license shall name his or her employer, and in case of a change of employer, the salesperson shall immediately mail his or her license to the licensor who shall endorse such change on the license without charge.
218.12(3m)(a)(a) A license shall be denied, restricted, limited or suspended if the applicant or licensee is an individual who is delinquent in making court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse, or who fails to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of workforce development or a county child support agency under
s. 59.53 (5) and related to paternity or child support proceedings, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under
s. 49.857.
218.12(3m)(b)
(b) The licensor shall suspend or revoke a license if the department of revenue certifies under
s. 73.0301 that the licensee is liable for delinquent taxes. A licensee whose license is suspended or revoked under this paragraph for delinquent taxes is entitled to a notice under
s. 73.0301 (2) (b) 1. b. and a hearing under
s. 73.0301 (5) (a) but is not entitled to any other notice or hearing under this section.
218.12(5)
(5) The provision of
s. 218.01 (3) relating to the denial, suspension and revocation of a motor vehicle salesperson's license shall apply to the denial, suspension and revocation of a mobile home salesperson's license so far as applicable, except that such provision does not apply to the denial, suspension or revocation of a license under
sub. (3m).
218.12(6)
(6) The provisions of
s. 218.01 (3) (g) and
(5) shall apply to this section, mobile home sales practices and the regulation of travel trailer or mobile home salespersons, as far as applicable.
218.14
218.14
Warranty and disclosure. 218.14(1)
(1) A one-year written warranty is required for every new primary housing unit sold or leased by a mobile home manufacturer, dealer or salesperson in this state, and for every new primary housing unit 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 customer in this state. The warranty shall contain the following terms:
218.14(1)(a)
(a) That the primary housing unit meets those standards prescribed by law or administrative rule of the department of administration or of the department of commerce, which are in effect at the time of its manufacture.
218.14(1)(b)
(b) That the primary housing unit 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 of administration.
218.14(1)(c)1.1. That the primary housing unit manufacturer and dealer shall take corrective action for defects which become evident within one year from the delivery date and as to which the primary housing unit 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 primary housing unit manufacturer and dealer shall make the appropriate adjustments and repairs, within 30 days after notification of the defect, at the site of the primary housing unit without charge to the primary housing unit owner. If the dealer makes the adjustment, the manufacturer shall fully reimburse the dealer.
218.14(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, that the repair, replacement, substitution or alteration has not restored the primary housing unit to the condition in which it was warranted except for reasonable wear and tear, such failure shall be deemed a violation of the warranty and the primary housing unit 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.
218.14(1)(d)
(d) That if during any period of time after notification of a defect, the primary housing unit is uninhabitable, as defined by rule of the department of administration, that period of time shall not be considered part of the one-year warranty period.
218.14(1)(e)
(e) A list of all parts and equipment not covered by the warranty.
218.14(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.
218.14(3)
(3) The warranty required under this section shall apply to the manufacturer of the primary housing unit as well as to the dealer who sells or leases the primary housing unit to the customer, and shall be in addition to any other rights and privileges which the customer 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 unenforceable and void.
218.14(4)
(4) The transfer of a primary housing unit from one owner or lessee to another during the effective period of the warranty does not terminate the warranty, and subsequent owners or lessees shall be entitled to the full protection of the warranty for the duration of the warranty period as if the original owner or lessee had not transferred the primary housing unit.
218.15
218.15
Sale or lease of used primary housing units. In the sale or lease of any used primary housing unit, the sales invoice or lease agreement shall contain the point of manufacture of the used primary housing unit, the name of the manufacturer and the name and address of the previous owner.
218.15 History
History: 1973 c. 116;
1973 c. 132 s.
5.
218.16
218.16
Rules. The department of administration shall promulgate rules and establish standards necessary to carry out the purposes of
ss. 218.14 and
218.15.
218.16 History
History: 1973 c. 116;
1991 a. 39,
269.
218.165
218.165
Jurisdiction and venue over out-of-state manufacturers. 218.165(1)(1) The importation of a primary housing unit for sale in this state by an out-of-state manufacturer is deemed 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 primary housing unit into this state.
218.165(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.
218.17(1)(1) Any person who violates
ss. 218.14 to
218.16, or any rule promulgated under
ss. 218.14 to
218.16, may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both.
218.17(2)
(2) In any court action brought by the licensor for violations of this subchapter, the licensor may recover all costs of testing and investigation, in addition to costs otherwise recoverable, if it prevails in the action.
218.17(3)
(3) Nothing in this subchapter prohibits the bringing of a civil action against a mobile home manufacturer, dealer or salesperson by an aggrieved customer. If judgment is rendered for the customer based on an act or omission by the manufacturer, dealer or salesperson, which constituted a violation of this subchapter, the plaintiff shall recover actual and proper attorney fees in addition to costs otherwise recoverable.
218.17 Annotation
Sub. (3) allows customer to recover attorney fees when incomplete or no warranty has been tendered, but does not allow recovery for breach of warranty. Lightcap v. Steenberg Homes, Inc. 160 W (2d) 607, 466 NW (2d) 904 (1991).
MOTOR VEHICLE SALVAGE DEALERS
218.20
218.20
Definitions. In this subchapter:
218.20(1)
(1) "Department" means the department of transportation.
218.20(1g)
(1g) "License period" means the period during which a license issued under
s. 218.22 is effective, as established by the department under
s. 218.22 (2) (b) 1.
218.20(1r)
(1r) "Motor vehicle salvage dealer" means a person who purchases and resells motor vehicles for wrecking, processing, scrapping, recycling or dismantling purposes or who carries on or conducts the business of wrecking, processing, scrapping or dismantling motor vehicles or selling parts of motor vehicles so processed.
218.20(2)
(2) "Scrap metal processor" means a motor vehicle salvage dealer who sells no motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts and whose business is limited to a fixed location at which machinery and equipment are utilized for the processing and manufacturing of iron, steel or nonferrous metallic scrap into prepared grades and whose principal product is scrap iron, scrap steel or nonferrous metal scrap for sale for remelting purposes.
218.20 History
History: 1987 a. 351;
1989 a. 31.
218.205
218.205
Motor vehicle salvage dealers to be licensed. 218.205(1)(1) No person may carry on or conduct the business of a motor vehicle salvage dealer unless licensed to do so by the department. Any person violating this section may be fined not less than $500 nor more than $5,000 or imprisoned for not more than 60 days or both.
218.205(2)(a)
(a) Motor vehicle dealers licensed under
s. 218.01 (2) who remove, but do not sell, as such, parts of motor vehicles prior to sale of such vehicles to motor vehicle salvage dealers or scrap metal processors.
218.205(2)(b)
(b) Scrap metal processors and portable scrap metal crushers who accept motor vehicles from only:
218.205(2)(b)3.
3. Municipalities, all of whom shall submit titles and reports to the department and retain records.
218.205(2)(c)
(c) Any person who acquires a motor vehicle for salvage purposes for his or her own use and then sells the remainder to a motor vehicle salvage dealer or to another person who will further use that motor vehicle for salvage purposes for his or her own use before selling it to a motor vehicle salvage dealer.
218.205(2)(d)
(d) Collectors of special interest vehicles who purchase or sell parts cars in compliance with
s. 341.266.
218.21
218.21
Application for salvage dealer's license. 218.21(1)(1) Application for license shall be made to the department, at such time, in such form and contain such information as the department requires and shall be accompanied by the required fee. Except as provided in
sub. (1m), the department may require in the application, or otherwise, information relating to the applicant's solvency, financial standing or other pertinent matter commensurate with the safeguarding of the public interest in the locality in which the applicant proposes to engage in business, all of which may be considered by the department in determining the fitness of the applicant to engage in business as set forth in this section.
218.21(1m)
(1m) The department may not require information relating to the applicant's solvency or financial standing if the applicant provides a bond in the amount provided in
sub. (4) and under conditions specified in
s. 218.01 (2) (h) 2.
218.21(2)
(2) Application for a motor vehicle salvage dealer's license shall be made upon the form prescribed by the department and shall contain:
218.21(2)(a)
(a) The name under which the applicant is transacting business within the state.
218.21(2)(ag)
(ag) If the applicant is an individual, the social security number of the individual.
218.21(2)(am)
(am) If the applicant is a person who is not an individual, the person's federal employer identification number.
218.21(2)(b)
(b) The place or places where the business is to be conducted, which must be an established place of business.
218.21(2)(c)
(c) If the applicant is a sole proprietorship, the personal name and address of the applicant.
218.21(2)(d)
(d) If the applicant is a partnership, the name and address of each partner.
218.21(2)(dL)
(dL) If the applicant is a limited liability company, the name and address of each member.
218.21(2)(e)
(e) If the applicant is a corporation, the names and addresses of its principal officers.
218.21(2)(f)
(f) Such other pertinent information as may be required by the department for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the applicant to be licensed.
218.21(2m)(a)(a) The department shall deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a license if the information required under
sub. (2) (ag) or
(am) is not included in the application.
218.21(2m)(b)
(b) The department of transportation may not disclose any information received under
sub. (2) (ag) or
(am) to any person except to the department of industry, labor and job development [department of workforce development] for purposes of administering
s. 49.22 or the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under
s. 73.0301.
218.21 Note
NOTE: The department of industry, labor and job development was changed to the department of workforce development by
1997 Wis. Act 3. Corrective legislation is pending.
218.21(3)
(3) Every application shall be executed by the applicant, if an individual, or in the event the applicant is a partnership, limited liability company or corporation, by a partner, member or officer thereof. Every such application shall be accompanied by the fee required by law.
218.21(4)(a)(a) Unless the applicant furnishes a bond, or other adequate collateral as security, of not less than $25,000 under conditions provided by
s. 218.01 (2) (h) 2., every application shall be accompanied by a current financial statement to determine the applicant's solvency as required under
sub. (1). Except as provided in
par. (b), this paragraph does not apply to the application of a scrap metal processor.
218.21(4)(b)
(b) Paragraph (a) does not preclude the department from requiring an applicant who is a scrap metal processor to provide information relating to the applicant's solvency or financial standing if the applicant does not furnish a bond or other collateral as specified in
par. (a) and the department has reasonable cause to believe that the applicant is financially insolvent.
218.21(5)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (b), when a motor vehicle salvage dealer has an established place of business in more than one municipality in this state, he or she shall make separate application and submit a separate license fee remittance for each such municipality. A motor vehicle salvage dealer who fails to apply for each such separate license may be required to forfeit not more than $200.
218.21(5)(b)
(b) A scrap metal processor with an established place of business in more than one municipality may make a single application listing all places of business to be licensed and pay a single fee for the licensing of the listed places of business.
