§ 31-44-1 - Definitions.
SECTION 31-44-1
§ 31-44-1 Definitions. – As used in this chapter:
(1) "Department" means the department of business regulation.
(2) "Director" means the director of the department ofbusiness regulation.
(3) "Entry requirements" means any written, nondiscriminatorycriteria for resident selection incorporated into the rules and regulations ofa mobile and manufactured home park which are equally applied by the licenseeto all purchasers and prospective residents.
(4) "Fee schedule" means an itemized list of fees for goodsor services sold or performed by a mobile and manufactured home park licenseeincluding, but not limited to, the entrance fee, hook-up fee, and maintenancefee, if any.
(5) "Hook-up fee" means a reasonable fee for the servicesrequired to install a mobile and manufactured home on a mobile and manufacturedhome space or lot. The charge shall include the cost of connecting water andsewer lines, electrical connections, tie-downs, removal of wheels or axles,steps, if necessary, and other necessary services, including, but not limitedto, the creation of new pads or piers.
(6) "Household" means one or more persons occupying a housingunit.
(7) "Licensee" means any person or agent licensed under§ 31-44-1.6 who is directly or indirectly engaged in the business ofselling mobile and manufactured homes or who operates and maintains a mobileand manufactured home park under the provisions of this chapter.
(8) "Mobile and manufactured home" means a detachedresidential unit designed:
(i) For a long term occupancy and containing sleepingaccommodations, a flush toilet, and a tub or shower bath and kitchenfacilities, and having both permanent plumbing and electrical connections forattachment to outside systems;
(ii) To be transported on its own wheels or on a flatbed orother trailer or detachable wheels; and
(iii) To be placed on pads, piers, or tied down, at the sitewhere it is to be occupied as a residence complete and ready for occupancy,except for minor and incidental unpacking and assembly operations andconnection to utilities systems.
(9) "Mobile and manufactured home park" or "park" means aplot of ground upon which four (4) or more mobile and manufactured homes,occupied for residential purposes are located.
(10) "Mobile and manufactured home space or lot" means a plotof ground within a mobile and manufactured home park designed for theaccommodation of one mobile and manufactured home.
(11) "Owner" means a licensee or permittee or any person whoowns, operates, or maintains a mobile and manufactured home park.
(12) "Prospective resident" means an applicant for admissionto a mobile and manufactured home park who is ready, willing, and able to buy amobile and manufactured home owned and offered for sale by a licensee orresident, and who is able to meet the entrance requirements of the rules of thepark.
(13) "Protected lawful action" means any report of aviolation of this chapter, or of any applicable building or health code, or anyother justified complaint to a governmental authority, or any other justifiedlawful act by the resident(s) or prospective resident(s).
(14) "Reprisal" means any act taken against the resident(s)which is intended as a penalty for any protected lawful action taken by theresident(s).
(15) "Resident" means an owner or renter occupying a mobileand manufactured home in a mobile and manufactured home park with the consentof the owner as defined in subdivision (11) of this section.
(16) "Security deposit" means a sum not to exceed the monthlyrental which a licensee may require a resident of a rented mobile ormanufactured home to deposit as security in case of damage caused by theresident in excess of ordinary wear and tear.
(17) "Standards for mobile and manufactured homes" means anywritten, nondiscriminatory minimum specifications for structural soundness,safety, and habitability adopted by the department or any other governmentagency.