§ 143-143.13.  Grounds for denying, suspending, or revoking licenses; civil penalties.

(a) A license may be denied, suspended or revoked by the Board on any one or more of the following grounds:

(1) Making a material misstatement in application for license.

(2) Failing to post an adequate corporate surety bond, cash bond or fixed value equivalent.

(3) Engaging in the business of manufactured home manufacturer, dealer, salesperson, or set-up contractor without first obtaining a license from the Board.

(4) Failing to comply with the warranty service obligations and claims procedure established by this Part.

(5) Failing to comply with the set-up requirements established by this Part.

(6) Failing or refusing to account for or to pay over moneys or other valuables belonging to others that have come into licensee's possession arising out of the sale of manufactured homes.

(6a) Failing to comply with the escrow or trust account provisions of Part 2 of this Article.

(7) Using unfair methods of competition or committing unfair or deceptive acts or practices.

(8) Failing to comply with any provision of this Part.

(9) Failing to appear for a hearing before the Board or for a prehearing conference with a person or persons designated by the Board after proper notice or failing to comply with orders of the Board issued pursuant to this Part.

(10) Employing unlicensed salespersons.

(11) Offering for sale manufactured homes manufactured or assembled by unlicensed manufacturers or selling manufactured homes to unlicensed dealers for sale to buyers in this State.

(12) Conviction of any crime listed in G.S. 143-143.10A.

(13) Having had a license revoked, suspended or denied by the Board; or having had a license revoked, suspended or denied by a similar entity in another state; or engaging in conduct in another state which conduct, if committed in this State, would have been a violation under this Part.

(14) Employing or contracting with any person to perform setups who is not licensed by the Board as a set-up contractor.

(15) Failure to comply with the provisions of Chapters 47G and 47H of the General Statutes.

(b) Repealed by Session Laws 1985, c. 666, s. 38.

(c) In addition to the authority to deny, suspend, or revoke a license under this Part the Board may impose a civil penalty upon any person violating the provisions of this Part. Upon a finding by the Board of a violation of this Part, the Board shall order the payment of a penalty of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00). In determining the amount of the penalty, the Board shall consider the degree and extent of harm caused by the violation, the amount of money that inured to the benefit of the violator as a result of the violation, whether the violation was committed willfully, and the prior record of the violator in complying or failing to comply with laws, rules, or orders applicable to the violator. Each day during which a violation occurs shall constitute a separate offense. The penalty shall be payable to the Board. The Board shall remit the clear proceeds of penalties provided for in this subsection to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C-457.2.

Payment of the civil penalty under this section shall be in addition to payment of any other penalty for a violation of the criminal laws of this State. Nothing in this subsection shall prevent the Board from negotiating a mutually acceptable agreement with any person as to the status of the person's license or certificate or as to any civil penalty. (1981, c. 952, s. 2; 1985, c. 487, ss. 3 to 5; c. 666, s. 38; 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1027, s. 51; 1987, c. 429, s. 19; 1989, c. 485, s. 45; 1991, c. 644, s. 34; 1998-215, s. 92; 1999-393, s. 1; 2003-400, s. 11; 2005-451, ss. 1, 4; 2010-164, s. 5.)