Chapter 101

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).

101.9211(4)(b)2. 2. The transfer of a manufactured home under this paragraph shall not affect any liens upon the manufactured home.

101.9211(4)(b)3. 3. Except as provided in subd. 4., this paragraph is limited to no more than 5 manufactured homes titled in this state that are less than 20 years old at the time of the transfer under this paragraph. There is no limit on transfer under this paragraph of manufactured homes titled in this state that are 20 or more years old at the time of transfer under this paragraph.

101.9211(4)(b)4. 4. The limit in subd. 3. does not apply if the surviving spouse is proceeding under s. 867.03 (1g) and the total value of the decedent’s property subject to administration in the state, including the manufactured homes transferred under this paragraph, does not exceed $50,000.

101.9211(4)(c) (c) Upon compliance with this subsection, the department shall bear neither liability nor responsibility for the transfer of such manufactured homes in accordance with this section.

101.9211(4)(d) (d) This subsection does not apply to transfer of interest in a manufactured home under s. 101.9209 (1) (b).

101.9211 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185; 2001 a. 16, 102; 2005 a. 216; 2023 a. 127.

101.9212 101.9212 When department to issue a new certificate.

101.9212(1) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the department, upon receipt of a properly assigned certificate of title, with an application for a new certificate of title, the required fee and any other transfer documents required by law, to support the transfer, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner. The department may not require a person to provide a properly assigned certificate of title if the manufactured home for which the new certificate of title is requested has no certificate of title as a result of the exemption under s. 101.9203 (4).

101.9212(2) (2) The department, upon receipt of an application for a new certificate of title by a transferee other than by voluntary transfer, with proof of the transfer, the required fee and any other documents required by law, shall issue a new certificate of title in the name of the transferee as owner. If the transfer constituted a termination of the owner’s interest or a sale under a security agreement by a secured party named in the certificate, under s. 101.9211 (2), the new certificate shall be issued free of the names and addresses of the secured party who terminated the owner’s interest and of all secured parties subordinate under s. 101.9213 to such secured party. If the outstanding certificate of title is not delivered to it, the department shall make demand therefor from the holder of such certificate.

101.9212(3) (3) The department shall retain for 5 years a record of every surrendered certificate of title, the record to be maintained so as to permit the tracing of title for the manufactured home designated therein.

101.9212 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185; 2001 a. 16.

101.9213 101.9213 Perfection of security interests.

101.9213(1) (1) Unless excepted by s. 101.9202, a security interest in a manufactured home of a type for which a certificate of title is required is not valid against creditors of the owner or subsequent transferees or secured parties of the manufactured home unless perfected as provided in ss. 101.9202 to 101.9218.

101.9213(2) (2) Except as provided in sub. (3), a security interest is perfected by the delivery to the department of the existing certificate of title, if any, an application for a certificate of title containing the name and address of the secured party, and the required fee. The security interest is perfected as of the later of the time of its delivery or the time of the attachment of the security interest.

101.9213(3) (3) If a secured party whose name and address is contained on the certificate of title for a manufactured home acquires a new or additional security interest in the manufactured home, such security interest is perfected at the time of its attachment under s. 409.203.

101.9213(4) (4) An unperfected security interest is subordinate to the rights of persons described in s. 409.317.

101.9213(5) (5) The rules of priority stated in s. 409.322, the other sections therein referred to, and subch. III of ch. 409 shall, to the extent appropriate, apply to conflicting security interests in a manufactured home of a type for which a certificate of title is required, or in a previously certificated manufactured home, as defined in s. 101.9222 (1). A security interest perfected under this section or under s. 101.9222 (4) or (5) is a security interest perfected otherwise than by filing for purposes of s. 409.322.

101.9213(6) (6) The rules stated in subch. VI of ch. 409 governing the rights and duties of secured parties and debtors and the requirements for, and effect of, disposition of a manufactured home by a secured party, upon default shall, to the extent appropriate, govern the rights of secured parties and owners with respect to security interests in manufactured homes perfected under ss. 101.9202 to 101.9218.

101.9213(7) (7) If a manufactured home is subject to a security interest when brought into this state, s. 409.316 states the rules that apply to determine the validity and perfection of the security interest in this state.

101.9213(8) (8) Upon request of a person who has perfected a security interest under this section, as shown by the records of the department, in a manufactured home titled in this state, whenever the department receives information from another state that the manufactured home is being titled in the other state and the information does not show that the security interest has been satisfied, the department shall notify the person. The department shall establish, by rule under s. 101.19, a fee of not less than $2 for each notification.

101.9213 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185; 2001 a. 10; 2005 a. 45.

101.9214 101.9214 Duties on creation of security interest. If an owner creates a security interest in a manufactured home, unless the name and address of the secured party already is contained on the certificate of title for the manufactured home:

101.9214(1) (1) The owner shall immediately execute, in the space provided therefor on the certificate of title or on a separate form or in an automated format prescribed by the department, an application to name the secured party on the certificate, showing the name and address of the secured party, and cause the certificate, application and the required fee to be delivered to the secured party.

101.9214(2) (2) The secured party shall immediately cause the certificate, the application and the required fee to be mailed or delivered to the department.

101.9214(3) (3) Upon receipt of the certificate of title, the application and the required fee, the department shall issue to the owner a new certificate containing the name and address of the new secured party. The department shall deliver to the new secured party and to the register of deeds of the county of the owner’s residence memoranda, in such form as the department prescribes, evidencing the notation of the security interest upon the certificate; and thereafter, upon any assignment, termination or release of the security interest, additional memoranda evidencing such action.

101.9214(4) (4) The register of deeds may record, and maintain a file of, all memoranda received from the department under sub. (3). Such recording, however, is not required for perfection, release or assignment of security interests, which shall be effective upon compliance with ss. 101.9213 (2), 101.9215 and 101.9216 (1) and (2).

101.9214 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53.

101.9215 101.9215 Assignment of security interest.

101.9215(1) (1) Except as otherwise provided in s. 409.308 (5), a secured party may assign, absolutely or otherwise, the party’s security interest in the manufactured home to a person other than the owner without affecting the interest of the owner or the validity of the security interest, but any person without notice of the assignment is protected in dealing with the secured party as the holder of the security interest and the secured party remains liable for any obligations as a secured party until the assignee is named as secured party on the certificate.

101.9215(2) (2) Subject to s. 409.308 (5), the assignee may but need not, to perfect the assignment, have the certificate of title endorsed or issued with the assignee named as secured party, upon delivering to the department the certificate and an assignment by the secured party named in the certificate in the form that the department prescribes.

101.9215 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53; 2001 a. 10.

101.9216 101.9216 Release of security interest.

101.9216(1) (1) Within one month, or within 10 days following written demand by the debtor, after there is no outstanding obligation and no commitment to make advances, incur obligations or otherwise give value, secured by the security interest in a manufactured home under any security agreement between the owner and the secured party, the secured party shall execute and deliver to the owner, as the department prescribes, a release of the security interest in the form and manner prescribed by the department and a notice to the owner stating in no less than 10-point boldface type the owner’s obligation under sub. (2). If the secured party fails to execute and deliver the release and notice of the owner’s obligation as required by this subsection, the secured party is liable to the owner for $25 and for any loss caused to the owner by the failure.

101.9216(2) (2) The owner, other than a manufactured home dealer holding the manufactured home for resale, upon receipt of the release and notice of obligation shall promptly cause the certificate and release to be mailed or delivered to the department, which shall release the secured party’s rights on the certificate and issue a new certificate.

101.9216(3) (3) The department may remove information pertaining to a security interest perfected under s. 101.9213 from its records when 20 years after the original perfection has elapsed unless the security interest is renewed in the same manner as provided in s. 101.9213 (2) for perfection of a security interest.

101.9216(4) (4) Removal of information pertaining to a security interest from the records of the department under sub. (3) does not affect any security agreement between the owner of a manufactured home and the holder of security interest in the manufactured home.

101.9216 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185.

101.9217 101.9217 Secured party’s and owner’s duties.

101.9217(1) (1) A secured party named in a certificate of title shall, upon written request of the owner or of another secured party named on the certificate, disclose any pertinent information as to the party’s security agreement and the indebtedness secured by it.

101.9217(2) (2) 

101.9217(2)(a) (a) An owner shall promptly deliver the owner’s certificate of title to any secured party who is named on it or who has a security interest in the manufactured home described in it under any other applicable prior law of this state, upon receipt of a notice from such secured party that the security interest is to be assigned, extended or perfected. Any owner who fails to deliver the certificate of title to a secured party requesting it under this paragraph shall be liable to such secured party for any loss caused to the secured party thereby and may be required to forfeit not more than $200.

101.9217(2)(b) (b) No secured party may take possession of any certificate of title except as provided in par. (a). Any person who violates this paragraph may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000.

101.9217(3) (3) Any secured party who fails to disclose information under sub. (1) shall be liable for any loss caused to the owner by the failure to disclose information.

101.9217 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185.

101.9218 101.9218 Applicability of manufactured home security provisions.

101.9218(1) (1) Method of perfecting exclusive. Subject to s. 409.311 (4) and except as provided in sub. (2), the method provided in ss. 101.921 to 101.9217 of perfecting and giving notice of security interests subject to ss. 101.921 to 101.9217 is exclusive. Security interests subject to ss. 101.921 to 101.9217 are exempt from the provisions of law that otherwise require or relate to the filing of instruments creating or evidencing security interests.

101.9218(2) (2) Fixtures excluded. Notwithstanding ss. 101.921 to 101.9217, the method provided in ss. 101.921 to 101.9217 of perfecting and giving notice of security interests does not apply to a manufactured home that is a fixture to real estate or to a manufactured home that the owner intends, upon acquiring, to permanently affix to land that the owner of the manufactured home owns.

101.9218 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185; 2001 a. 10, 16.

101.9219 101.9219 Withholding certificate of title; bond.

101.9219(1) (1) The department may not issue a certificate of title until the outstanding evidence of ownership is surrendered to the department.

101.9219(2) (2) If the department is not satisfied as to the ownership of the manufactured home or that there are no undisclosed security interests in it, the department, subject to sub. (3), shall either:

101.9219(2)(a) (a) Withhold issuance of a certificate of title until the applicant presents documents reasonably sufficient to satisfy the department as to the applicant’s ownership of the manufactured home and that there are no undisclosed security interests in it; or

101.9219(2)(b) (b) Issue a distinctive certificate of title pursuant to s. 101.9206 (3) or 101.9222 (3).

101.9219(3) (3) Notwithstanding sub. (2), the department may issue a nondistinctive certificate of title if the applicant fulfills either of the following requirements:

101.9219(3)(a) (a) The applicant is a manufactured home dealer licensed under s. 101.951 and is financially responsible as substantiated by the last financial statement on file with the department, a finance company licensed under ss. 138.09 or 218.0101 to 218.0163, a bank organized under the laws of this state, or a national bank located in this state.

101.9219(3)(b) (b) 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, or if the currently valid certificate of title for the manufactured home is surrendered to the department, unless the department has been notified of the pendency of an action to recover on the bond.

101.9219 History History: 1999 a. 9, 53, 185; 2001 a. 38.

101.922 101.922 Suspension or revocation of certificate.

101.922(1) (1) The department shall suspend or revoke a certificate of title if it finds any of the following:

101.922(1)(a) (a) That the certificate of title was fraudulently procured, erroneously issued or prohibited by law.

101.922(1)(b) (b) That the manufactured home has been scrapped, dismantled or destroyed.

101.922(1)(c) (c) That a transfer of title is set aside by a court of record by order or judgment.

101.922(2) (2) Suspension or revocation of a certificate of title does not, in itself, affect the validity of a security interest noted on it.

101.922(3) (3) When the department suspends or revokes a certificate of title, the owner or person in possession of it shall, immediately upon receiving notice of the suspension or revocation, mail or deliver the certificate to the department.

101.922(4) (4) The department may seize and impound any certificate of title that has been suspended or revoked.

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

101.9221 101.9221 Grounds for refusing issuance of certificate of title. The department shall refuse issuance of a certificate of title if any required fee has not been paid or for any of the following reasons:

101.9221(1) (1) The department has reasonable grounds to believe that:

101.9221(1)(a) (a) The person alleged to be the owner of the manufactured home is not the owner.

101.9221(1)(b) (b) The application contains a false or fraudulent statement.

101.9221(2) (2) The applicant has failed to furnish any of the following:

101.9221(2)(a) (a) If applicable, the power of attorney required under 15 USC 1988 or rules of the department.

101.9221(2)(b) (b) Any other information or documents required by law or by the department pursuant to authority of law.

101.9221(3) (3) The applicant is a manufactured home dealer and is prohibited from applying for a certificate of title under s. 101.921 (1) (a) or (b).