Ohio Admin. Code 4781-11-17 - Manufactured housing dealer business establishment

(A) A manufactured housing dealer shall have an established place of business that shall include an office that is permanent in nature, with office equipment and supplies that are sufficient to assist in conducting the business of selling manufactured housing year round. The office shall have, at minimum, a landline telephone number (not a cellular phone) in service at all times, that is listed in the local telephone directory as, and answered in the name of, the manufactured housing dealer, electric lighting, and heating that is sufficient and reasonable for a retail office environment. An established place of business that is used for selling manufactured housing shall be considered used exclusively for that purpose even though its facility is located in a manufactured home park or office complex, and even though rent and other activities related to operating a manufactured home park take place at the same location. The dealer's established place of business in a manufactured home park shall be staffed by someone licensed and regulated under this chapter who could reasonably assist any retail customer, with or without an appointment, but such established place of business need not satisfy office, size, display lot size, and physical barrier requirements as referenced in this chapter.

(B) The office shall be clearly identified, easily accessible, and open to the public, a minimum of thirty hours a week, at least six of which shall occur Monday through Friday. The office shall be kept neat and orderly at all times, and shall not be used as storage or other utility area. The office shall be separate from a personal residence. If the dealership is located in a manufactured home park, posted office hours must be adhered to, however, the salesperson is allowed to be out of the office during posted office hours if there are instructions on the door on how to reach the salesperson. The salesperson must be available to reasonably assist customers with or without an appointment. The office for dealerships located in manufactured home parks can be in a model home or an office. If, however, the commission's investigation reveals that the dealer applicant's local area would be better served, the commission may grant the applicant a manufactured housing dealer license if the applicant has substantially complied with the provisions laid forth in this chapter.

(C) The business hours shall be legible and posted in a conspicuous place near the entrance of the office.

(D) An established place of business which shall include a lot of at least three thousand five hundred square feet, not including driveways, with adequate ground cover of a hard surface (gravel, concrete, etc.) to prevent the collection of dust, mud, water, or other unsightly conditions.

(E) The display lot must be separated from any other business or residence with a permanent physical barrier that is sufficient to deter normal vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The barrier may not be able to be moved or removed.

(F) A permanent office of at least one hundred eighty square feet of usable office area, located on the display lot, which shall be kept in a neat and orderly fashion. The office must include the following:

(1) Desk;

(2) Chair;

(3) Filing cabinet;

(4) Electric lighting sufficient for an office;

(5) Heating sufficient for an office;

(6) Telephone, in service at all times, listed and answered in the dealership's name,

(G) A sign showing the exact name of the business as it appears on the application: In the event the manufactured housing dealer is located in a manufactured home park, the signage can be in the name of the manufactured home park. The manufactured housing dealer shall also provide sufficient disclosure to all purchasers and potential purchasers that the manufactured housing dealer is licensed by the commission to deal in manufactured homes. This disclosure shall include the actual name of the authorized licensee as provided by the applicant to the commission. At the time of application, the applicant must provide clear photographs (via mail or email) of the location showing: (1) the lot, (2) the office (inside and outside), and (3) business name sign, including any registered trade names. No applicant shall be issued a license unless their application shall show the business for which the license is sought is equipped with a suitable sign, property maintained and prominently displayed, and permanent, identifying the ownership of said business in the same name in which the application is filed. Sign letters identifying the business shall be no less than six inches high.

(H) The office shall be staffed at all posted hours by an owner, partner, officer or licensed salesperson.

Notes

Ohio Admin. Code 4781-11-17

Effective: 6/2/2011
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 10/01/2014
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 4781.04
Rule Amplifies: 4781.18
Prior Effective Dates: 07/01/2010