Certain Utah Laws Important to HOAs and Rentals
Summary by Curtis G. Kimble:
This law requires two main things for a "service contract" to be able to automatically renew after an initial period ("service contract" means a contract for service, maintenance, or repair: (i) in connection with real property; or (ii) that provides a benefit to the real property):
1. No sooner than 90 days and not later than 30 days before the deadline to terminate a service contract the person providing service, maintenance, or repair under a service contract must provide the consumer written notice, personally, by certified mail, or prominently displayed on the first page of a monthly statement, that informs the consumer of the automatic renewal provision in the contract. "Consumer" includes an HOA.
2. A contract executed on or after July 1, 2011, that exceeds 12 months for a renewal period, must prominently display on the first page of the contract a notice that there is an automatic renewal provision.
- - End of Summary
15-10-101. Title.
This chapter is known as the "Service Contracts
Act."
Enacted by Chapter 46, 2003 General Session
15-10-102. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Automatic renewal provision" means a
provision under which a service contract is renewed for one or more specified
periods if:
(a) the renewal causes the service contract to be in
effect more than six months after the day of the initiation of the service
contract; and
(b) the renewal is effective unless the consumer gives
notice to the seller of the consumer's intention to terminate the service
contract.
(2) "Business consumer" means a person engaged in
business if the person enters into a service contract as part of the person's
business activities.
(3) (a) "Consumer" means a person receiving
service, maintenance, or repair under a service contract.
(b) "Consumer" includes a representative of
an association subject to:
(i) Title
57, Chapter 8, Condominium Ownership Act; or
(ii) Title
57, Chapter 8a, Community Association Act.
(4) "Seller" means a person providing service,
maintenance, or repair under a service contract.
(5) (a) "Service contract" means a contract for
service, maintenance, or repair:
(i) in
connection with real property; or
(ii) that
provides a benefit to the real property.
(b) "Service contract" does not include a
contract affecting any right, title, estate, or interest in real property,
including:
(i) a fee
title interest;
(ii) a
leasehold interest;
(iii) an
option contract relating to real property;
(iv) a
real estate purchase contract;
(v) an
easement; or
(vi) any
other real property interest governed by Title 57, Real Estate.
Amended by Chapter 262, 2011 General Session
15-10-201. Notice requirement.
(1) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), a service
contract may not contain an automatic renewal provision unless the seller
provides the consumer written notice complying with Subsection (2) that informs
the consumer of the automatic renewal provision.
(2) (a) For a service contract executed on or after July 1,
2011, that exceeds 12 months for a renewal period, a seller shall provide
written notice of an automatic renewal provision prominently displayed on the
first page of the service contract.
(b) In addition to complying with Subsection (2)(a), a
seller shall provide written notice required under Subsection (1) to the
consumer:
(i)
personally;
(ii) by
certified mail; or
(iii)
prominently displayed on the first page of a monthly statement.
(c) (i) A seller shall provide written notice under
Subsection (2)(b):
(A) no later than 30 calendar days
before the last day on which the consumer may give notice of the consumer's
intention to terminate the service contract; and
(B) no sooner than 90 calendar days
before the last day on which the consumer may give notice of the consumer's
intention to terminate the service contract.
(ii) A
seller may not provide written notice required under Subsection (1) except:
(A)
as provided in Subsection (2)(a); or
(B)
during the time period described in Subsection (2)(c)(i).
(d) Written notice required under Subsection (1) shall
be:
(i)
written in clear and understandable language; and
(ii)
printed in an easy-to-read type size and style.
Amended by Chapter 262, 2011 General Session
15-10-202. Remedy for violation.
(1) Subject to Subsection (2), if a seller does not comply
with Section 15-10-201 with
respect to a service contract containing an automatic renewal provision:
(a) the automatic renewal provision is void and
unconscionable as a matter of public policy; and
(b) the service contract shall automatically renew on
a month-to-month basis.
(2) Subsection (1) applies to an automatic renewal provision
in a service contract with a business consumer for which a seller does not
comply with Section 15-10-201 only
if the service contract is executed on or after July 1, 2011.
Amended by Chapter 262, 2011 General Session
15-10-301. Exemptions.
This chapter does not apply to a contract made pursuant to
Title 11, Chapter 13, Interlocal Cooperation Act.
Enacted by Chapter 46, 2003 General Session
--------------(End of Act)---------------
History of the
Service Contracts Act
(Certain provisions below may be applicable to a particular contract, depending on when the contract was entered into)
2003 Utah Laws Ch. 46 (S.B. 86)
UTAH 2003 SESSION
LAWS
55th LEGISLATURE, 2003 GENERAL SESSION
Ch. 46 (S.B. 86)
PROHIBITION OF AUTOMATIC RENEWAL OF SERVICE CONTRACTS
This act modifies the title dealing with
Contracts and Obligations in General by enacting provisions that prohibit the
automatic renewal of service contracts unless the seller notifies the consumer
of the automatic renewal. The act provides exemptions.
ENACTS:
15–10–101, Utah Code Annotated 1953
15–10–102, Utah Code Annotated 1953
15–10–201, Utah Code Annotated 1953
15–10–202, Utah Code Annotated 1953
15–10–301, Utah Code Annotated 1953
Be it enacted by the
Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 15–10–101 is enacted to read:
CHAPTER 10. SERVICE
CONTRACTS ACT
Part 1. General Provisions
§15–10–101. Title.
This chapter is known as the “Service Contracts Act.”
Section
2. Section 15–10–102 is enacted to read:
§ 15–10–102. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Automatic renewal provision” means a provision under which a
service contract is renewed for a specified period if:
(a) the renewal causes the
service contract to be in effect more than six months after the day of the
initiation of the service contract; and
(b) the renewal is effective
unless the consumer gives notice to the seller of the consumer's intention to
terminate the service contract.
(2) “Consumer” means a person receiving service, maintenance, or repair
under a service contract.
(3) “Seller” means a person providing service, maintenance, or repair
under a service contract.
(4)(a) “Service contract” means any contract for service, maintenance,
or repair:
(i) in connection with any real
property; or
(ii) that provides a benefit to
any real property.
(b) “Service contract” does not
include a contract affecting any right, title, estate, or interest in real
property, including:
(i) a fee title interest;
(ii) a leasehold interest;
(iii) an option contract relating
to real property;
(iv) a real estate purchase contract;
(v) an easement; or
(vi) any other real property
interest governed by Title 57, Real Estate.
Section 3. Section 15–10–201 is enacted to read:
Part 2. Restrictions
on Automatic Renewal Provisions
15–10–201. Notice
requirement.
(1) A service contract may not contain an automatic renewal provision
unless the seller provides the consumer written notice complying with
Subsection (2) that informs the consumer of the automatic renewal provision.
(2) The seller shall provide the written notice required under
Subsection (1) to the consumer personally, by certified mail, or prominently
displayed on the first page of a monthly statement:
(a) at least 30 calendar days
prior to the last day on which the consumer may give notice of the consumer's
intention to terminate the contract;
(b) not more than 90 calendar
days prior to the last day on which the consumer may give notice of the
consumer's intention to terminate the contract; and
(c) written in clear and
understandable language printed in an easy-to-read type size and style.
Section 4. Section 15–10–202 is enacted to read:
§ 15–10–202. Remedy
for violation.
If a seller does not comply with Section 15–10–201 with respect to a
service contract containing an automatic renewal provision:
(1) the automatic renewal provision is void and unconscionable as a
matter of public policy; and
(2) the service contract shall automatically renew on a month-to-month
basis.
Section 5. Section 15–10–301 is enacted to read:
§ Part 3. Exemptions
15–10–301.
Exemptions.
This chapter does not apply to a contract made pursuant to Title 11, Chapter
13, Interlocal Cooperation Act.
Effective May 5,
2003.
Approved March 15, 2003.
2006 Utah Laws Ch. 167 (S.B. 191):
SERVICE CONTRACTS
ACT AMENDMENTS
2006 GENERAL SESSION
S.B. 191 Enrolled
STATE OF UTAH
(Additions are indicated by bold text; deletions by strikethrough text.)
This bill amends the Service Contracts Act. This
bill amends the definition of “consumer” under the act; clarifies the time
period during which notice may be provided by a seller; and makes technical
changes.
AMENDS:
15–10–102, as enacted by Chapter 46, Laws of Utah 2003
15–10–201, as enacted by Chapter 46, Laws of Utah 2003
Be it enacted by the
Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 15–10–102 is amended to read:
§ 15–10–102. Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(1) “Automatic renewal provision” means
a provision under which a service contract is renewed for a specified period
if:
(a) the renewal causes the service
contract to be in effect more than six months after the day of the initiation
of the service contract; and
(b) the renewal is effective unless the
consumer gives notice to the seller of the consumer's intention to terminate
the service contract.
(2) (a) “Consumer” Except as provided in Subsection (2)(c),
“consumer” means a person receiving service, maintenance, or
repair under a service contract.
(b) “Consumer” includes a
representative of an association subject to:
(i) Title 57, Chapter 8, Condominium
Ownership Act; or
(ii) Title 57, Chapter 8a, Community
Association Act.
(c) “Consumer” does not include a
person engaged in business for profit if the person enters into the service
contract as part of the person's business activities.
(3) “Seller” means a person providing
service, maintenance, or repair under a service contract.
(4)(a) “Service contract” means any
contract for service, maintenance, or repair:
(i) in connection with any real
property; or
(ii) that provides a benefit to any real
property.
(b) “Service contract” does not include
a contract affecting any right, title, estate, or interest in real property,
including:
(i) a fee title interest;
(ii) a leasehold interest;
(iii) an option contract relating to
real property;
(iv) a real estate purchase contract;
(v) an easement; or
(vi) any other real property interest
governed by Title 57, Real Estate.
Section 2. Section 15–10–201 is amended to read:
§ 15–10–201. Notice requirement
(1) A service contract may not contain an automatic renewal provision unless the
seller provides the consumer written notice complying with Subsection (2) that
informs the consumer of the automatic renewal provision.
(2)(a) The seller shall
provide the written notice required under Subsection (1) to the consumer:
(i) personally, ;
(ii) by
certified mail, ; or
(iii) prominently
displayed on the first page of a monthly statement:.
(b)(i) The seller shall provide the
written notice required under Subsection (1):
(a)at
least (A) no later than 30
calendar days prior to before the last day on which
the consumer may give notice of the consumer's intention to terminate the
contract; and
(b)not
more (B) no
sooner than 90 calendar days prior to before the last day on which
the consumer may give notice of the consumer's intention to terminate the
contract; and.
(ii) The seller may not provide the
written notice required under Subsection (1) except during the time period
described in Subsection (2)(b)(i).
(c) The written notice required
under Subsection (1) shall be: (c) (i) written in clear and
understandable language; and (ii) printed in an
easy-to-read type size and style.
Effective May 1, 2006.