<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 05.03.01.09" title_num="05" subtitle_num="03" chapter_num="01" heading="Rehabilitation Procedures—Payment.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Completion of Work Required. Except as provided in §B of this regulation, payments shall be made only for work completed. Payments may not be made for material delivered to the site but not incorporated into the project.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Advances.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>For loans under Regulation .05 of this chapter, there may be an advance or down payment in an amount which does not exceed 10 percent of the rehabilitation costs, if required by the contract for the rehabilitation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>For loans under Regulation .07 of this chapter, the Program may advance to a nonprofit organization or local government 10—90 percent of the acquisition and rehabilitation costs. The percentage of costs advanced shall be in the sole discretion of the Department, taking into account experience managing construction or rehabilitation projects and disbursing funds.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Progress Payments.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Progress payments may not be made until the borrower has delivered satisfactory evidence, such as receipts or bills, of the amount of the payment requested.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Progress payments may not be made without an inspection to verify completion of the work, except at the discretion of the Program. At a minimum, however, the Program or its approved agents shall verify completion of the work before disbursing the final payment, as described in §G of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If a request for payment is refused, the Program shall notify the borrower.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The determination of the Program as to percentage of work completed is final. The Program shall give the borrower written notice of its determination of the percentage of work completed.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Joint Payee Checks. Payments of draws shall be made by a joint payee check issued to the borrower and contractor unless an alternative payment method is approved by the Program Director.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Effect of Arrearage. Loan funds may not be disbursed if there is any arrearage of interest payments or escrows required by the loan documents.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Retainage.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>For all projects for which the borrower is responsible for project inspections, the Program shall retain loan proceeds equal to not more than 10 percent of the contract proposal costs until final payment.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>For any other project, the Program, at its discretion, may elect to retain loan proceeds equal to not more than 10 percent of the contract proposal costs until final payment, taking into consideration:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The type of project;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The contractor's experience; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Other factors the Program considers relevant.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The retainage shall be released at final payment upon verification that all contracted rehabilitation items are complete and acceptable to the Department.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>In addition to standard retainage, if the Program receives written notice that subcontractors, materialmen, or suppliers have not been paid for work done or material supplied to and for the project, and all loan funds have not yet been disbursed, the Program shall retain an amount equal to the lesser of all funds not yet disbursed and the amount sufficient to satisfy the claims until satisfactory evidence of satisfaction and release by the subcontractors, materialmen, or suppliers is presented. The contractor shall promptly pay or bond any liens established.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Final Payment. Final payment shall be made as follows:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The borrower shall submit to the Program a certificate of completion, executed by the borrower and contractor, certifying that all work:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Has been completed in accordance with the contract documents;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Was performed in a workmanlike manner; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Was in accordance with all applicable planning, zoning, and building codes, and other applicable laws.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Upon final inspection and receipt and approval of the certificate of completion, final payment shall be processed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If, in the opinion of the Program, the contractor has satisfied the contract and the borrower has refused to request or release the final payment, then the Program may follow the procedure described below:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The Program may require the borrower to explain in writing within 10 days why the Program should not make direct payment to the contractor;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If the borrower responds within the 10-day period and requests a meeting, the Program Director shall hold a meeting at which the borrower shall present objections to requesting or releasing the final payment; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The Program, in its discretion, may then approve direct payment to the contractor or the borrower.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Closeout Procedures. After final payment is made, the Department shall reconcile all receipts and disbursements and prepare a close-out statement.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>