Chapter 282 Oregon Laws 2001

 

AN ACT

 

HB 2702

 

Relating to costs of placement of a manufactured dwelling in a facility.

 

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

 

          SECTION 1. Sections 2 to 5 of this 2001 Act are added to and made a part of ORS 90.505 to 90.840.

 

          SECTION 2. As used in sections 3 and 4 of this 2001 Act:

          (1) “Buyer” has the meaning given that term in ORS 72.1030.

          (2) “Improvements” means installations or other changes that a tenant makes to a rental space. “Improvements” includes, but is not limited to, plants and landscaping, sidewalks and other concrete work, skirting, decks, railings, awnings, gutters, carports, garages, sheds, installation charges imposed by the landlord, installation fees imposed by government agencies and system development charges to be paid by the tenant.

          (3) “Provider” means a contractor licensed under ORS chapter 701 who adds improvements to a manufactured dwelling park.

          (4) “Statement of estimated costs” means a written list of the charges, fees, services, goods and accessories that a provider knows or should know are associated with the making of an improvement contracted by the provider and the total estimated cost to the buyer for the improvement.

 

          SECTION 3. (1) Before a prospective tenant signs a rental agreement for space in a manufactured dwelling park, the landlord must provide the prospective tenant with a written statement that discloses the improvements that the park will require under the rental agreement. The written statement must be in the format developed by the Attorney General pursuant to section 5 of this 2001 Act and include at least the following:

          (a) A notice that the tenant may select the provider of an improvement.

          (b) Separately stated and identifiable information for each required improvement that specifies:

          (A) The dimensions, materials and finish for improvements to be constructed;

          (B) The installation charges imposed by the landlord and the installation fees imposed by government agencies;

          (C) The system development charges to be paid by the tenant; and

          (D) The site preparation requirements and restrictions, including, but not limited to, requirements and restrictions on the use of plants and landscaping.

          (c) Identification of the improvements that belong to the tenant and the improvements that must remain with the manufactured dwelling park.

          (2) Except as provided in ORS 41.740, a written statement provided under this section is considered to contain all of the terms relating to improvements that a prospective tenant must make under the rental agreement. There may be no evidence of the terms of the written statement other than the contents of the written statement.

 

          SECTION 4. (1) A provider hired to make improvements shall give the buyer of the provider’s services a statement of estimated costs for the improvements contracted by the provider prior to the date that the manufactured dwelling is delivered to a manufactured dwelling park.

          (2) If a provider fails to give a statement of estimated costs or knowingly fails to give a complete statement of estimated costs, a buyer who does not have actual notice of the total cost for an improvement and suffers an ascertainable loss due to the failure by the provider may bring an action to recover the greater of actual damages or $200.

          (3) Except as provided in ORS 41.740, a statement of estimated costs given under this section is considered to contain all of the terms of the agreement between the buyer and the provider hired to make improvements. There may be no evidence of the terms of the statement of estimated costs other than the contents of the statement of estimated costs.

 

          SECTION 5. The Attorney General, by rule, shall adopt a model written statement for use by manufactured dwelling park landlords pursuant to section 3 of this 2001 Act.

 

Approved by the Governor June 1, 2001

 

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 1, 2001

 

Effective date January 1, 2002

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