S.C. Code Regs. 79-17 - Contracts; Deposits and Down Payments; Rescission

(A) For the purposes of this Regulation, an agreement to purchase a manufactured home will be deemed valid prior to closing, if the agreement is in writing, is signed and dated by the buyer and seller on the same date, and meets all other requirements of the Board's statutes and regulations. Further, the seller's failure to provide the buyer, as required by the Board's regulations, with an identical copy of any purported agreement that the seller wishes to enforce shall render the agreement invalid for purposes of this Regulation.

(B) The failure to accurately describe the exact nature of the deposit or down payment with respect to a manufactured home purchase agreement, including cash, real estate, titles, or objects exchanged, will render the agreement invalid for purposes of this Regulation.

(C) Where any manufactured home purchase agreement also obligates the buyer to the purchase or lease of land, the requirements of this Regulation will be deemed applicable to the entire deposit or down payment without regard to any purported allocation of the deposit or down payment between the manufactured home and the land.

(D) In the absence of a valid agreement in accordance with this Regulation, or in the absence of a provision in such an agreement that addresses the conditions under which the seller is entitled to retain a deposit or down payment, the seller must immediately return all cash and other items used as a deposit or down payment if the buyer rescinds the transaction at any time prior to completion of closing: provided, however, that the seller may retain the lesser of the actual financing application fee or fifty dollars where the buyer is rejected for financing.

(E) Where a valid agreement exists, in accordance with this Regulation, notwithstanding any contrary provisions of the agreement, the buyer may rescind the transaction at any time prior to closing, provided, however, that the seller may in such case retain reasonable costs actually incurred because of the buyer's rescission. Reasonable costs may include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, transportation, installation, decoration, and interest for modified floor plans.

Notes

S.C. Code Regs. 79-17

Added by State Register Volume 29, Issue No. 2, eff February 25, 2005.