Chapter 101

101.9204 101.9204 Application for certificate of title.

101.9204(1) (1) An application for a certificate of title shall be made to the department upon a form or in an automated format prescribed by it and shall be accompanied by the required fee. Each application for certificate of title shall include the following information:

101.9204(1)(a) (a) The name and address of the owner.

101.9204(1)(b) (b) A description of the manufactured home, including make, model, identification number and any other information or documentation that the department may reasonably require for proper identification of the manufactured home.

101.9204(1)(c) (c) The date of purchase by the applicant, the name and address of the person from whom the manufactured home was acquired and the names and addresses of any secured parties in the order of their priority.

101.9204(1)(d) (d) If the manufactured home is a new manufactured home being titled for the first time, the signature of the manufactured home dealer. The document of origin shall contain the information specified by the department.

101.9204(1)(e) (e) Any further evidence of ownership which the department may reasonably require to enable it to determine whether the owner is entitled to a certificate of title and the existence or nonexistence of security interests in the manufactured home.

101.9204(1)(f) (f) If the identification number of the manufactured home has been removed, obliterated or altered, or if the original casting has been replaced, or if the manufactured home has not been numbered by the manufacturer, the application for certificate of title shall so state.

101.9204(1)(g) (g) If the manufactured home is a used manufactured home that was last previously titled in another jurisdiction, the applicant shall furnish any certificate of ownership issued by the other jurisdiction and a statement, in the form prescribed by the department, pertaining to the title history and ownership of the manufactured home.

101.9204(1m) (1m) On the form or in the automated format for application for a certificate of title, the department may show the fee under s. 101.9208 (4m) separately from the fee under s. 101.9208 (1) or (4).

101.9204(2) (2) Any person who knowingly makes a false statement in an application for a certificate of title is guilty of a Class H felony.

101.9204 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185; 2001 a. 38, 109; 2005 a. 45, 253.

101.9205 101.9205 When department to issue certificate and to whom; maintenance of records.

101.9205(1) (1) The department shall maintain a record of each application for certificate of title received by it and, when satisfied as to its genuineness and regularity and that the applicant is entitled to the issuance of a certificate of title, shall issue and deliver a certificate to the owner of the manufactured home.

101.9205(2) (2) The department shall maintain a record of all applications, and all certificates of title issued by the department, indexed in the following manners:

101.9205(2)(a) (a) According to title number.

101.9205(2)(b) (b) Alphabetically, according to the name of the owner.

101.9205(2)(c) (c) In any other manner that the department determines to be desirable.

101.9205(3) (3) The department shall establish, by rule under s. 101.19, a fee of not less than $2 for conducting a file search of manufactured home title records.

101.9205 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185; 2005 a. 45.

101.9206 101.9206 Contents of certificate of title.

101.9206(1) (1) Each certificate of title issued by the department shall contain all of the following:

101.9206(1)(a) (a) The name and address of the owner.

101.9206(1)(b) (b) The names of any secured parties in the order of priority as shown on the application or, if the application is based on another certificate of title, as shown on that certificate.

101.9206(1)(c) (c) The title number assigned to the manufactured home.

101.9206(1)(d) (d) A description of the manufactured home, including make, model and identification number.

101.9206(1)(e) (e) Any other data that the department considers pertinent and desirable.

101.9206(2) (2) 

101.9206(2)(a) (a) The certificate of title shall contain spaces for all of the following:

101.9206(2)(a)1. 1. Assignment and warranty of title by the owner.

101.9206(2)(a)2. 2. Reassignment and warranty of title by a manufactured home dealer.

101.9206(2)(b) (b) The certificate of title may contain spaces for application for a certificate of title by a transferee and for the naming of a secured party and the assignment or release of a security interest.

101.9206(3) (3) 

101.9206(3)(a) (a) Unless the applicant fulfills the requirements of par. (b), the department shall issue a distinctive certificate of title for a manufactured home last previously registered in another jurisdiction if the laws of the other jurisdiction do not require that secured parties be named on a certificate of title to perfect their security interests. The certificate shall contain the legend “This manufactured home may be subject to an undisclosed security interest” and may contain any other information that the department prescribes. If the department receives no notice of a security interest in the manufactured home within 4 months from the issuance of the distinctive certificate of title, the department shall, upon application and surrender of the distinctive certificate, issue a certificate of title in ordinary form.

101.9206(3)(b) (b) The department may issue a nondistinctive certificate of title if the applicant fulfills either of the following requirements:

101.9206(3)(b)1. 1. The applicant is a manufactured home dealer and is financially responsible as substantiated by the last financial statement on file with the department, a finance company licensed under s. 138.09, a bank organized under the laws of this state, or a national bank located in this state.

101.9206(3)(b)2. 2. The applicant has filed with the department a bond in the form prescribed by the department and executed by the applicant, and either accompanied by the deposit of cash with the department or also executed by a person authorized to conduct a surety business in this state. The bond shall be in an amount equal to 1.5 times the value of the manufactured home as determined by the department and conditioned to indemnify any prior owner and secured party and any subsequent purchaser of the manufactured home or person acquiring any security interest in it, and their respective successors in interest, against any expense, loss or damage, including reasonable attorney fees, by reason of the issuance of the certificate of title for the manufactured home or on account of any defect in or undisclosed security interest upon the right, title and interest of the applicant in and to the manufactured home. Any such interested person has a right of action to recover on the bond for any breach of its conditions, but the aggregate liability of the surety to all persons shall not exceed the amount of the bond. The bond, and any deposit accompanying it, shall be returned at the end of 5 years or prior thereto if, apart from this section, a nondistinctive certificate of title could then be issued for the manufactured home.

101.9206(4) (4) A certificate of title issued by the department is prima facie evidence of the facts appearing on it.

101.9206(5) (5) The department may issue a certificate of title in an automated format.

101.9206 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185.

101.9207 101.9207 Lost, stolen or mutilated certificates.

101.9207(1) (1) If a certificate of title is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed or becomes illegible, the owner or legal representative of the owner named in the certificate, as shown by the records of the department, shall promptly make application for and may obtain a replacement upon furnishing information satisfactory to the department. The replacement certificate of title shall contain the legend “This is a replacement certificate and may be subject to the rights of a person under the original certificate”.

101.9207(2) (2) A person recovering an original certificate of title for which a replacement has been issued shall promptly surrender the original certificate to the department.

101.9207 History History: 1999 a. 9.

101.9208 101.9208 Fees. The following fees shall be determined by the department by rule under s. 101.19:

101.9208(1) (1) For filing an application for the first certificate of title, to be paid by the owner of the manufactured home.

101.9208(2m) (2m) Upon filing an application under sub. (1) or (4), a manufactured housing rehabilitation and recycling fee, to be paid by the person filing the application.

101.9208(3) (3) For the original notation and subsequent release of each security interest noted upon a certificate of title, a single fee to be paid by the owner of the manufactured home.

101.9208(4) (4) For a certificate of title after a transfer, to be paid by the owner of the manufactured home.

101.9208(4m) (4m) Upon filing an application under sub. (1) or (4), a supplemental title fee to be paid by the owner of the manufactured home, except that this fee shall be waived with respect to an application under sub. (4) for transfer of a decedent’s interest in a manufactured home to his or her surviving spouse or domestic partner under ch. 770. The fee required under this subsection shall be paid in addition to any other fee specified in this section.

101.9208(5) (5) For each assignment of a security interest noted upon a certificate of title, to be paid by the assignee.

101.9208(6) (6) For a replacement certificate of title, to be paid by the owner of the manufactured home.

101.9208(7) (7) For processing applications for certificates of title that have a special handling request for fast service, which fee shall approximate the cost to the department for providing this special handling service to persons so requesting.

101.9208(8) (8) For the reinstatement of a certificate of title previously suspended or revoked.

101.9208 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185; 2001 a. 16; 2005 a. 45; 2009 a. 28.

101.9209 101.9209 Transfer of interest in a manufactured home.

101.9209(1) (1) 

101.9209(1)(a) (a) If an owner transfers an interest in a manufactured home, other than by the creation of a security interest, the owner shall, at the time of the delivery of the manufactured home, execute an assignment and warranty of title to the transferee in the space provided therefor on the certificate, and cause the certificate to be mailed or delivered to the transferee. This paragraph does not apply if the owner has no certificate of title as a result of the exemption under s. 101.9203 (4).

101.9209(1)(b) (b) Any person who holds legal title of a manufactured home with one or more other persons may transfer ownership of the manufactured home under this subsection if legal title to the manufactured home is held in the names of such persons in the alternative, including a manufactured home held in a form designating the holder by the words “(name of one person) or (name of other person)”.

101.9209(2) (2) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, promptly after delivery to him or her of the manufactured home, the transferee shall execute the application for a new certificate of title in the space provided therefor on the certificate or as the department prescribes, and cause the certificate and application to be mailed or delivered to the department. This subsection does not apply to a transferee who is exempt from making application for a certificate of title under s. 101.9203 (4).

101.9209(3) (3) A transfer by an owner is not effective until the applicable provisions of this section have been complied with. An owner who has delivered possession of the manufactured home to the transferee and has complied with the provisions of this section requiring action by him or her is not liable as owner for any damages thereafter resulting from use of the mobile home.

101.9209(4) (4) Any owner of a manufactured home for which a certificate of title has been issued, who upon transfer of the manufactured home fails to execute and deliver the assignment and warranty of title required by sub. (1), may be required to forfeit not more than $500.

101.9209(5) (5) 

101.9209(5)(a) (a) Any transferee of a manufactured home who fails to make application for a new certificate of title immediately upon transfer to him or her of a manufactured home as required under sub. (2) may be required to forfeit not more than $200.

101.9209(5)(b) (b) Any transferee of a manufactured home who, with intent to defraud, fails to make application for a new certificate of title immediately upon transfer to him or her of a manufactured home as required under sub. (2) may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days or both.

101.9209(5)(c) (c) A certificate is considered under this subsection to have been applied for when the application accompanied by the required fee has been delivered to the department or deposited in the mail properly addressed with postage prepaid.

101.9209 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53; 2001 a. 16.

101.921 101.921 Transfer to or from dealer.

101.921(1) (1) 

101.921(1)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), if a manufactured home dealer acquires a manufactured home and holds it for resale or accepts a manufactured home for sale on consignment, the manufactured home dealer may not submit to the department the certificate of title or application for certificate of title naming the manufactured home dealer as owner of the manufactured home. Upon transferring the manufactured home to another person, the manufactured home dealer shall immediately give the transferee, on a form prescribed by the department, a receipt for all title, security interest and sales tax moneys paid to the manufactured home dealer for transmittal to the department when required. Unless the manufactured home has no certificate of title as a result of the exemption under s. 101.9203 (4), the manufactured home dealer shall promptly execute the assignment and warranty of title, showing the name and address of the transferee and of any secured party holding a security interest created or reserved at the time of the resale or sale on consignment, in the spaces provided therefor on the certificate or as the department prescribes. Within 7 business days following the sale or transfer, the manufactured home dealer shall mail or deliver the certificate or application for certificate to the department with the transferee’s application for a new certificate, unless the transferee is exempt from making application for a certificate of title under s. 101.9203 (4). A nonresident who purchases a manufactured home from a manufactured home dealer in this state may not, unless otherwise authorized by rule of the department, apply for a certificate of title issued for the manufactured home in this state unless the manufactured home dealer determines that a certificate of title is necessary to protect the interests of a secured party. The manufactured home dealer is responsible for determining whether a certificate of title and perfection of security interest is required. The manufactured home dealer is liable for any damages incurred by the department or any secured party for the manufactured home dealer’s failure to perfect a security interest that the manufactured home dealer had knowledge of at the time of sale.

101.921(1)(b) (b) Except when all available spaces for a manufactured home dealer’s reassignment on a certificate of title have been completed or as otherwise authorized by rules of the department, a manufactured home dealer who acquires a manufactured home and holds it for resale or accepts a manufactured home for sale on consignment may not apply for a certificate of title naming the manufactured home dealer as owner of the manufactured home.

101.921(1)(c) (c) Unless exempted by rule of the department, a manufactured home dealer who acquires a manufactured home and holds it for resale shall make application for a certificate of title naming the manufactured home dealer as owner of the manufactured home when all of the available spaces for a manufactured home dealer’s reassignment on the certificate of title for such manufactured home have been completed.

101.921(2) (2) Every manufactured home dealer shall maintain for 5 years a record of every manufactured home bought, sold or exchanged, or received for sale or exchange. The record shall be open to inspection by a representative of the department or by a peace officer during reasonable business hours. The dealer shall maintain the record in the form prescribed by the department.

101.921(3) (3) Any manufactured home dealer who fails to comply with this section may be required to forfeit not more than $200.

101.921 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185; 2001 a. 16.

101.9211 101.9211 Involuntary transfers.

101.9211(1) (1) If the interest of an owner in a manufactured home passes to another other than by voluntary transfer, the transferee shall, except as provided in sub. (2), promptly mail or deliver to the department the last certificate of title, if available, and any documents required by the department to legally effect such transfer. The transferee shall also promptly mail or deliver to the department an application for a new certificate in the form that the department prescribes, unless the transferee is exempt from making application for a certificate of title under s. 101.9203 (4).

101.9211(2) (2) If the interest of the owner is terminated or the manufactured home is sold under a security agreement by a secured party named in the certificate of title, the transferee shall promptly mail or deliver to the department the last certificate of title, unless there is no certificate of title as a result of the exemption under s. 101.9203 (4), an application for a new certificate in the form that the department prescribes, unless the transferee is exempt from making application for a certificate of title under s. 101.9203 (4), and a statement made by or on behalf of the secured party that the manufactured home was repossessed and that the interest of the owner was lawfully terminated or sold under the terms of the security agreement.

101.9211(3) (3) A person holding a certificate of title whose interest in the manufactured home has been extinguished or transferred other than by voluntary transfer shall mail or deliver the certificate to the department upon request of the department. The delivery of the certificate pursuant to the request of the department does not affect the rights of the person surrendering the certificate, and the action of the department in issuing a new certificate of title is not conclusive upon the rights of an owner or secured party named in the old certificate.

101.9211(4) (4) 

101.9211(4)(a) (a) In all cases of the transfer of a manufactured home owned by a decedent, except under par. (b), ward, trustee or bankrupt, the department shall accept as sufficient evidence of the transfer of ownership all of the following:

101.9211(4)(a)1. 1. Evidence satisfactory to the department of the appointment of a trustee in bankruptcy, of a certification of trust under s. 701.1013 or the appointment of a trustee, or of the issuance of domiciliary letters or other letters authorizing the administration of a decedent’s estate, guardianship, conservatorship, special administration, or trust.

101.9211(4)(a)2. 2. The title executed by the personal representative, guardian, or trustee, except that this subdivision does not apply if there is no certificate of title as a result of the exemption under s. 101.9203 (4).

101.9211(4)(b) (b)

101.9211(4)(b)1. 1. Except as provided under subd. 1m., the department shall transfer the decedent’s interest in any manufactured home to his or her surviving spouse upon receipt of the title executed by the surviving spouse and a statement by the spouse that states all of the following:

101.9211(4)(b)1.a. a. The date of death of the decedent.

101.9211(4)(b)1.b. b. The approximate value and description of the manufactured home.

101.9211(4)(b)1.c. c. That the spouse is personally liable for the decedent’s debts and charges to the extent of the value of the manufactured home, subject to s. 859.25.

101.9211(4)(b)1m. 1m. The department may not require a surviving spouse to provide an executed title to a manufactured home under subd. 1. if the manufactured home has no certificate of title as a result of the exemption under s. 101.9203 (4).