Sec. 1201.151. REFUNDS

(a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a retailer must refund a consumer's deposit not later than the 15th day after the date that a written request for the refund is received from the consumer.

(b) The deposit may be retained only if:

(1) the consumer specially orders from the manufacturer a manufactured home that is not in the retailer's inventory;

(2) the home conforms to the specifications of the special order and any representations made to the consumer;

(3) the consumer fails or refuses to accept delivery and installation of the home by the retailer; and

(4) the consumer was given conspicuous written notice of the requirements for retaining the deposit.

(c) The retailer may not retain more than five percent of the estimated cash price of the specially ordered home and must refund any amount that exceeds five percent.

(d) This section does not apply to:

(1) a deposit held in escrow in a real estate transaction; or

(2) money stated to be a down payment in an executed retail sales contract.

(e) A deposit becomes a down payment upon execution of a binding written agreement. Thereafter, if the consumer exercises a right of rescission, the retailer shall, not later than the 15th day after the date of the rescission, refund to the consumer all money and other consideration received from the consumer, without offset or deduction.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1421, Sec. 2, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1284 , Sec. 7, eff. June 18, 2005. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 863 , Sec. 17, eff. January 1, 2008. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 863 , Sec. 18, eff. January 1, 2008.