N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 13 § 24.4

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024
Section 24.4 - Transmittal letter and certifications
(a)Transmittal letter.

A transmittal letter addressed to the Department of Law, that is signed and affirmed by the attorney who prepared the offering plan, and containing the following unqualified statements, must be submitted with the plan and exhibits (1) at the time the plan is first submitted for filing, and (2) immediately prior to its acceptance for filing:

"I/We am/are the attorney(s) who prepared the offering plan for the captioned timesharing plan.

I/We affirm as follows:

Enclosed for filing pursuant to 13 NYCRR Part 24, Timeshare Offering Plans, are copies of the offering plan together with the exhibits.

I/We am/are fully familiar with the provisions of article 23-A of the General Business Law and the regulations promulgated by the Department of Law in Part 24.

I/We prepared the attached offering plan and exhibits based on information from the sponsor. I/We have read all the printed copy submitted to the Department of Law but expressly disclaim any responsibility to have made an independent inspection of the building(s) or property or investigation of the information furnished to me/us by sponsor.

I/We have no actual knowledge of a violation of article 23-A of the General Business Law or Part 24 of the regulations promulgated by the Department of Law, nor do I/we have actual knowledge of any material fact omitted or any untrue statement of a material fact included in the offering plan."

(b)Certification by sponsor.

Include in part II of the plan and in the exhibits a certification, subscribed and sworn to by the sponsor and sponsor's principals in their capacity as principals, in the following form:

"We are the sponsor and the principals of sponsor of the offering plan for the captioned timesharing plan.

We understand that we have primary responsibility for compliance with the provisions of article 23-A of the General Business Law, the regulations promulgated by the Department of Law in Part 24, and such other laws and regulations as may be applicable.

We have read the entire offering plan. We have investigated the facts set forth in the offering plan and the underlying facts. We have exercised due diligence to form a basis for this certification. We jointly and severally certify that the offering plan does, and that documents submitted hereafter by us which amend or supplement the offering plan will:

(1) set forth the detailed terms of the transaction and be complete, current and accurate;
(2) afford potential investors, purchasers and participants an adequate basis upon which to found their judgment;
(3) not omit any material fact;
(4) not contain any untrue statement of a material fact;
(5) not contain any fraud, deception, concealment, suppression, false pretense, or fictitious or pretended purchase or sale;
(6) not contain any promise or representation as to the future which is beyond reasonable expectation or unwarranted by existing circumstances;
(7) not contain any representation or statement which is false, where I/we:
(7) (i) knew the truth;
(7) (ii) with reasonable effort could have known the truth;
(7) (iii) made no reasonable effort to ascertain the truth; or
(7) (iv) did not have knowledge concerning the representation or statement made.

This certification is made under penalty of perjury for the benefit of all persons to whom this offer is made. We understand that violations are subject to the civil and criminal penalties of the General Business Law and Penal Law."

(c)Certification by engineer or architect.

Include in part II of the plan and in the exhibits the following certification subscribed and sworn to by an engineer or architect (who must either be registered as an architect or be licensed to practice as a professional engineer in the jurisdiction where the timeshare property is located). The certification must be dated within 120 days prior to the date of submission of the offering plan to the Department of Law. A second certification containing the language in parentheses, below, shall be submitted with any addendum to a report.

(1) The certification must be in the form below for newly constructed units or facilities:

"The sponsor of the timesharing plan for the captioned property retained me/our firm to prepare a report describing the property when constructed (the "Report"). I/We examined the building plans and specifications that were prepared by __ dated __, and prepared the Report dated __, (I/We are supplementing the Report in this addendum dated __), a copy(ies) of which is (are) intended to be incorporated in the offering plan so that prospective purchasers may rely on the Report (and addendum).

I/We understand that I/We am/are responsible for complying with article 23-A of the General Business Law and the regulations promulgated by the Attorney General in Part 24 insofar as they are applicable to this Report (addendum).

I/We have read the entire Report and investigated the facts set forth in the Report and the facts underlying it with due diligence in order to form a basis for this certification. I/We certify that the Report (addendum) and all documents prepared by me/us disclose all the material facts (relevant to the topics of the addendum) which were then discernible from the building plans and specifications referred to above. This certification is made for the benefit of all persons to whom this offer is made. I/We certify that the Report (addendum):

(i) sets forth in detail the condition of the entire property as it will exist upon completion of construction, provided that construction is in accordance with the plans and specifications that I/we examined;
(ii) in my/our professional opinion, affords potential investors, purchasers and participants an adequate basis upon which to found their judgment concerning the physical condition of the property (the aspects of the property discussed in the addendum);
(iii) does not omit any material fact;
(iv) does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact;
(v) does not contain any fraud, deception, concealment or suppression;
(vi) does not contain any promise or representation as to the future which is beyond reasonable expectation or unwarranted by existing circumstances;
(vii) does not contain any representation or statement which is false, where I/we:
(vii) (a) knew the truth;
(vii) (b) with reasonable effort could have known the truth;
(vii) (c) made no reasonable effort to ascertain the truth; or
(vii) (d) did not have knowledge concerning the representation or statement made.
(viii) It is to be understood that all aspects of the physical condition of the property cannot be determined from an examination of building plans and specifications, and that all statements contained in this certification are premised on and limited to such plans and specifications.

I/We further certify that I am/we are not owned or controlled by and have no beneficial interest in the sponsor and that my/our compensation for preparing this Report (addendum) is not contingent on the success of the timesharing plan or on the profitability or price of the offering. This statement is not intended as a guarantee or warranty of the physical condition of the property."

(2) The certification must be in the form below for a project undergoing rehabilitation:

"The sponsor of the timesharing plan for the captioned property retained me/our firm to prepare a report disclosing the condition of the project when rehabilitated (the "Report"). I/We visually inspected the property on __, examined the building plans and specifications that were prepared by __, dated __, and prepared the report dated __ (I/We are supplementing the Report in this addendum dated __), a copy(ies) of which is (are) intended to be incorporated in the offering plan so that prospective purchasers may rely on the Report (and addendum).

I/We understand that I/we am/are responsible for complying with article 23-A of the General Business Law and the regulations promulgated by the Department of Law in Part 24 insofar as they are applicable to this Report (addendum).

I/We have read the entire Report (addendum) and investigated the facts set forth in the Report (addendum) and the facts underlying it, and conducted the visual inspection referred to above, with due diligence in order to form a basis for this certification. I/We certify that the Report (addendum) and all documents prepared by me/us disclose all the material facts (relevant to the topics of the addendum) which were then discernible from a visual inspection of the property and from an examination of the building plans and specifications. This certification is made for the benefit of all persons to whom this offer is made. I/We certify that the Report (addendum):

(i) sets forth in detail the condition of the entire property as it will exist upon completion of rehabilitation, provided rehabilitation is in accordance with the plans and specifications that I/we examined;
(ii) in my/our professional opinion, affords potential investors, purchasers and participants an adequate basis upon which to found their judgment concerning the physical condition of the property (the aspects of the property discussed in the addendum);
(iii) does not omit any material fact;
(iv) does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact;
(v) does not contain any fraud, deception, concealment or suppression;
(vi) does not contain any promise or representation as to the future which is beyond reasonable expectation or unwarranted by existing circumstances;
(vii) does not contain any representation or statement which is false, where I/we:
(vii) (a) knew the truth;
(vii) (b) with reasonable effort could have known the truth;
(vii) (c) made no reasonable effort to ascertain the truth; or
(vii) (d) did not have knowledge concerning the representation or statement made.
(viii) It is to be understood that all aspects of the physical condition of the property cannot be determined by a visual inspection or from an examination of building plans and specifications, and that all statements contained in this certification are premised on and limited to such examination and visual inspection.

I/We further certify that I am/we are not owned or controlled by and have no beneficial interest in the sponsor and that my/our compensation for preparing this Report (addendum) is not contingent on the success of the timesharing plan or on the profitability or price of the offering. This statement is not intended as a guarantee or warranty of the physical condition of the property."

(3) The certification must be in the form below for a project being sold in "as is" condition or undergoing minimal rehabilitation:

"The sponsor of the timesharing plan for the captioned property retained me/our firm to prepare a report disclosing the condition of the property (the "Report"). I/We visually inspected the property on __, and prepared the Report dated __ (I/We are supplementing the Report in this addendum dated __), a copy(ies) of which is (are) intended to be incorporated in the offering plan so that prospective purchasers may rely on the Report (and addendum).

I/We understand that I/we am/are responsible for complying with article 23-A of the General Business Law and the regulations promulgated by the Department of Law in Part 24 insofar as they are applicable to this Report (addendum).

I/We have read the entire Report (addendum) and investigated the facts set forth in the Report (addendum) and the facts underlying it, and conducted the visual inspection referred to above, with due diligence in order to form a basis for this certification. I/We certify that the Report (addendum) and all documents prepared by me/us disclose all the material facts (relevant to the topics of the addendum) which were then discernible from a visual inspection of the property. This certification is made for the benefit of all persons to whom this offer is made. I/We certify that the Report (addendum), based on my/our visual inspection:

(i) sets forth in narrative form the physical condition of the entire property (the aspects of the property discussed in the addendum), and is current and accurate as of the date of inspection;
(ii) in my/our professional opinion, affords potential investors, purchasers and participants an adequate basis upon which to found their judgment concerning the physical condition of the property (the aspects of the property discussed in the addendum);
(iii) does not omit any material fact;
(iv) does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact;
(v) does not contain any fraud, deception, concealment or suppression;
(vi) does not contain any promise or representation as to the future which is beyond reasonable expectation or unwarranted by existing circumstances;
(vii) does not contain any representation or statement which is false, where I/we:
(vii) (a) knew the truth;
(vii) (b) with reasonable effort could have known the truth;
(vii) (c) made no reasonable effort to ascertain the truth; or
(vii) (d) did not have knowledge concerning the representation or statement made.
(viii) It is to be understood that all aspects of the physical condition of the property cannot be determined by a visual inspection, and that all statements contained in this certification are premised on and limited to such visual inspection.

I/We further certify that I am/we are not owned or controlled by and have no beneficial interest in the sponsor and that my/our compensation for preparing this Report (addendum) is not contingent on the success of the timesharing plan or on the profitability or price of the offering. This statement is not intended as a guarantee or warranty of the physical condition of the property."

(4) The certification must be in the form below where the detailed description of the property is being omitted pursuant to section 24.7(bb) of this Part.

"The sponsor of the timesharing plan for the captioned property retained me/our firm to examine the plans and specifications for the construction of all elements of the buildings, grounds and facilities, to inspect the construction of all elements of the buildings, grounds and facilities, and to issue the certification which follows: Copies of this certification are intended to be incorporated in the offering plan so that prospective purchasers may rely on it.

I/We understand that I/we am/are responsible for complying with article 23-A of the General Business Law and the regulations promulgated by the Attorney General in Part 24 insofar as they are applicable to this certification.

I/We have examined the plans and specifications for the construction of all elements of the buildings, grounds and facilities comprising this timeshare offering, and I/we have also examined and inspected the actual construction of all elements of the buildings, grounds and facilities in order to make this certification. This certification is made for the benefit of all persons to whom this offer is made. I/We certify as follows:

(i) All aspects of the construction of the buildings, grounds and facilities are in accordance with the filed plans and specifications (as amended); are in compliance with all applicable laws and codes; are in compliance with locally accepted construction practices; and are in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal environmental laws and regulations.
(ii) This certification, in my/our professional opinion, affords potential investors, purchasers and participants an adequate basis upon which to found their judgment concerning the physical condition of all aspects of the property.
(iii) This certification does not omit any material fact.
(iv) This certification does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact.
(v) This certification does not contain any fraud, deception, concealment, or suppression.
(vi) This certification does not contain any promise or representation as to the future which is beyond reasonable expectation or is unwarranted by existing circumstances.
(vii) This certification does not contain any representation or statement which is false, where I/we:
(vii) (a) knew the truth;
(vii) (b) with reasonable effort could have known the truth;
(vii) (c) made no reasonable effort to ascertain the truth; or
(vii) (d) did not have knowledge concerning the representation or statement made."
(d)Certification by expert on adequacy of the budget.

Except where (1) a timeshare development has been in full operation for at least two years prior to submission for filing of a plan and (2) the sponsor provides in Part I of the plan certified financial statements for the last two years of operation and (3) highlights as a special risk any loss or extraordinary occurrence, include in Part II of the plan and in the exhibits a certification subscribed and sworn to by an expert, who may be the chief financial officer of the sponsor, concerning the adequacy of Schedule B (and Schedule C) in the following form. The certification must be dated within 90 days prior to the date of the submission of the offering plan to the Department of Law. The expert's certification must be based on experience in the management of hotel, resort or timeshare properties and must disclose the approximate number of properties managed and length of time managed, together with other relevant real estate experience, qualifications and licenses.

"The sponsor of the timeshare offering plan for the captioned property retained me/our firm to review or prepare Schedule(s) B (and C) containing projections of income and expenses for timeshare operation. My/our experience in this field includes: I/We understand that I/we am/are responsible for complying with article 23-A of the General Business Law and the regulations promulgated by the Attorney General in Part 24 insofar as they are applicable to Schedule(s) B (and C). I/We have reviewed the Schedule(s) and investigated the facts set forth in the Schedule(s) and the facts underlying it/them with due diligence in order to form a basis for this certification. I/We certify that the projections in Schedule(s) B (and C) appear reasonable and adequate based on present prices (adjusted to reflect continued inflation and present levels of consumption for comparable units similarly situated). I/We certify that Schedule(s) B (and C):

(i) sets forth in detail the terms of the transaction as it relates to the Schedules and is complete, current and accurate;
(ii) affords potential investors, purchasers and participants an adequate basis upon which to found their judgment;
(iii) does not omit any material fact;
(iv) does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact;
(v) does not contain any fraud, deception, concealment, or suppression;
(vi) does not contain any promise or representation as to the future which is beyond reasonable expectation or unwarranted by existing circumstances;
(vii) does not contain any representation or statement which is false, where I/we:
(vii) (a) knew the truth;
(vii) (b) with reasonable effort could have known the truth;
(vii) (c) made no reasonable effort to ascertain the truth; or
(vii) (d) did not have knowledge concerning the representation or statement made.

I/We further certify that I am/we are not owned or controlled by and have no beneficial interest in the sponsor and that my/our compensation for preparing this Certification is not contingent on the success of the offering.

I/We understand that a copy of this Certification is intended to be incorporated into the offering plan so that prospective purchasers may rely on it.

This certification is made under penalty of perjury for the benefit of all persons to whom this offer is made. We understand that violations are subject to the civil and criminal penalties of the General Business Law and Penal Law."

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 13 § 24.4

Amended New York State Register July 3, 2018/Volume XL, Issue 27, eff. 7/3/2018