File a Complaint
Investigations Enforcement Portal
Thank you for contacting The New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department Construction Industries and Manufactured Housing Divisions (MHD) regarding your request for investigation.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING A REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION
1.
You can fill out a Request for Investigation online at https://nmrld.my.site.com/MHD/s/request-for-investigation following the prompts to fill out the request. The very last step allows you to submit the documents that provide evidence in the case. Please use either the Chrome or Firefox web browser as Internet Explorer will not allow you to complete the Request for Investigation. You do not have to create an account or login in order to complete the Request. Just click on “Request for Investigation” at the top right corner of the page in the black bar. The last step allows you to “Submit with Documents.” You should upload any supporting documents for your case including bids, estimates, quotes, contracts, invoices, receipts, advertisements, emails, texts and/or bank records or canceled checks showing payment, etc.
2.
If you are unable to complete the form online you can request that a word document be emailed to you, or that a paper copy be sent by U.S.P.S., by emailing CID.compliance@rld.nm.gov. Fill out the form completely using black ink including as much detail as possible. Blue ink and pencil do not photocopy well. Additional pages may be attached if necessary. Attach any documents necessary to explain or identify the transaction as stated above. We recommend that you send copies instead of the originals. The copies must be legible. There might be a slight delay in the processing of these requests. Please send color photographs that identify areas of concern. Also note that all documents and other materials submitted to our office become the property of the State of New Mexico. If completing a hard copy Request for Investigation, email the completed form and accompanying documents to cid.compliance@rld.nm.gov or mail/hand-deliver to the CID/MHD offices located at 5500 San Antonio Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109.
3.
When we receive your completed request form and attachments, we will review the information to determine if your request falls within the jurisdiction of our If we do not have jurisdiction, we will make every effort to refer your request to an agency that may be able to help you and return all supplementary documentation to you. For instance, CID cannot handle requests regarding a financial or contractual dispute [unless a judgment is obtained from a court of competent jurisdiction, Construction Industries Licensing Act (CILA) NMSA 1978, § 60-13-23; for MHD see NMSA 1978, § 60-14-12]. Some cities and counties have their own building departments and therefore jurisdiction. You will be advised if your complaint occurred in one of those local jurisdictions. All complaints as to manufactured homes are within the sole authority of MHD and the Manufactured Housing Committee.
If it is determined that our agency has jurisdiction, we will review your complaint to determine the appropriate action and assign it to an investigator. You will receive a letter informing you that an investigation has been opened and an investigator assigned to your case. Once your case is open you become a witness for the State’s investigation and the investigator may or may not contact you to collect further information. You may be required to testify in a hearing (for cases involving a licensed contractor) or magistrate/metropolitan court (for unlicensed contractors).
In all investigations, the individual or business being investigated will be informed of the allegations against them and will have access to all of the evidence provided in the complaint. CID and MHD cannot act as a private attorney, give you legal advice, or represent you individually in litigation in court. Consumer laws in New Mexico allow for the private and individual right of action and anyone can file a consumer claim in court. CID and MHD initiate legal action on behalf of the Commission/Committee only when there is a violation(s) of the Act(s), code, and/or regulations. Investigations involving unlicensed contractors are prosecuted under CILA, NMSA 1978, § 60-13-52 or the Manufactured Housing Act (MHA), NMSA 1978, § 60-14-17 and § 60-14-19 in the magistrate/metropolitan court in the jurisdiction where the unlicensed contracting occurred.
4.
The LPG and CNG Act [Liquefied and Compressed Gases] has specific statutes and regulations regarding complaints and disciplinary enforcement. Should you have a complaint against a licensee please contact the LP Gas Bureau at cid.lpgas@rld.nm.gov or (505) 222-9808.
Manufactured Housing Division (MHD) Licensed and Unlicensed Investigation Process
Purpose of the Investigation
The purpose of the investigation process is to determine whether an owner/purchaser of a manufactured home has been injured due to a violation of the Manufactured Housing Act (MHA) or its regulations. 14.12.11.8 NMAC.
Violations of the Act or Regulations
If the investigation results in a confirmation of a violation(s) of the MHA or its regulations, the licensee will be afforded the opportunity to correct the violation(s) or damage caused by the violation(s). All violations include the potential for claim against the consumer protection bond. If left uncorrected after the time allotted by the division the violation shall be reported to the Manufactured Housing Committee. If the Committee determines that there is cause for the complaint the division shall attempt to achieve satisfactory resolution of the complaint.
Damages and Repairs
If the complaint is not substantially resolved by the foregoing method the Committee may proceed with formal disciplinary action and/or bond attachment proceedings if the unresolved violation resulted in a monetary loss. All MHD licensees are required to maintain a consumer protection bond that acts as an indemnity for loss sustained by home owner due to the following:
- violation of the Manufactured Housing Act or its regulations;
- fraud by a licensee in performing a contract with the consumer;
- misrepresentation or false promise made either by advertising or by an agent of a licensee;
- loss resulting from the refusal, failure or inability to transfer good and sufficient legal title; or
- Violation of the written warranty 14.12.4.11, 14.12.4.12 and 14.12.4.13 NMAC.
In the prosecution process for unlicensed contracting the criminal court has prescribed penalties including fines. In some cases restitution (repayment of monies to the victim that were paid to the unlicensed contractor) may be obtained, but this is not guaranteed and, dependent on a judgement from the court/judge. We encourage all victims of unlicensed contracting to file a civil action in court. We can assist by providing evidence for you of the unlicensed status of the defendant.
Disciplinary Process
MHD reports the findings of each investigation to the Committee, which generally meets every other month. At that time the Committee decides whether or not to proceed with the disciplinary process. If so, the division refers the matter to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) for assignment to an Assistant Attorney General for issuance of a Notice of Contemplated Action. The entire disciplinary process typically takes several months and may include an evidentiary hearing. Both the Assistant Attorney General assigned to prosecute the matter as well as MHD have distinct responsibilities in the completion of the disciplinary process. If a settlement is reached the committee will review all relevant information regarding the matter and may approve a settlement agreement or may decline the agreement and require a hearing, If the matter is taken to administrative hearing, the committee will determine if discipline is appropriate in the issuance of its decision and order. Due to the administrative or criminal nature of the alleged violations, actions taken by MHD and/or the Committee are solely between the state and the alleged respondent/defendant.
If bond attachment proceedings are civilly initiated and finalized, the committee will assess a monetary value for your claim with the division assisting in securing payment of the bond.
Your Role as the submitter of a Request for Investigation
The submittal of a Request for Investigation allows the state to pursue prosecution of the matter either through the court system as a criminal action or the administrative process as a civil or criminal action. The individual submitting the Request for Investigation becomes a witness for the state in the furtherance of MHD’s investigation and potential prosecution.
As the person requesting the investigation, you can and may be called as a witness to testify on behalf of the State of New Mexico before a hearing officer and/or magistrate. Your testimony may be crucial to the successful prosecution of the alleged respondent/defendant in this matter.
Once your request has been received by MHD the complaint cannot be withdrawn. If a bond claim is not part of your complaint, you will generally not be updated of the case status throughout the investigation or during the legal proceedings unless additional evidence or further testimony is required. You may request through an Inspection of Public Records additional information although CID personnel are available to answer questions.
Timing
MHD strives to complete the investigatory and prosecution process within a year
MHD’s jurisdiction and when it is appropriate to complete a Request for Investigation
If it is determined that our agency has jurisdiction, we will review your complaint to determine the appropriate action and assign it to an investigator. You will receive a letter informing you that an investigation is open and an investigator has been assigned to your case. If your case is accepted by the division you become a witness for the state’s investigation. The investigator may or may not contact you to collect further information. You may be required to testify in a hearing (for cases involving a licensed contractor) or magistrate/metropolitan court (for unlicensed contractors).
MHD cannot give you legal advice or represent you individually in litigation in court. Consumer laws in New Mexico allow for the private and individual right of action and anyone can file a consumer claim in court. MHD initiates legal action on behalf of the committee only when there is a violation(s) of the MHA Act and/or regulations. Investigations involving unlicensed contractors are prosecuted under MHA § 60-14-17 and § 60-14-17 in the magistrate/metropolitan court in the jurisdiction where the unlicensed contracting occurred. In all investigations, the individual or business being investigated will be informed of the allegations against them and will have access to all of the evidence provided in the complaint. The individual or business will be provided an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
The type of issues (or allegations) wherein MHD has jurisdiction:
- Violations of the Manufactured Housing Act, its regulations or Federal HUD Standards
- Sales
- Manufacturers
- Manufactured Housing Install/Setup Complaints
- Manufactured Housing Deposit Complaints
- Manufactured Housing Dealers, Salespersons, Brokers
- Manufactured Housing Repair Complaints
- Violation of NM State Building Code
- Failure to Permit
- Failure to Inspect
- Working beyond the scope of a contractor’s license
- Judgments
- Ignoring an inspector correction notice
- Aiding and Abetting Unlicensed Activity
- Unlicensed Activity
MHD does not have jurisdiction as to
- Manufactured Housing transportation (Public Regulation Commission https://www.prc.nm.gov/)
If you are experiencing severe leaking of a roof, or a life/safety situation involving heating or air conditioning, please call 505-476-4700 immediately.