Free MHIC Training

What happens if you ignore an MHIC complaint letter?

Short answer. The MHIC can discipline you for the non-response alone under COMAR 09.08.01.27, turning a fixable complaint into a threat to your license. Respond promptly with documentation and an offer to resolve it.

  • COMAR 09.08.01.27

Work it through

You're the contractor. Pick what you'd do, then see how each choice plays out.

Commissioner Davis

MHIC investigator who reviews complaints and conducts hearings

Sarah filed a complaint with the MHIC about the cabinet warranty issue. You receive a letter from the Commission requesting your response within 30 days.

The letter states that failure to respond may result in disciplinary action.

  1. Correct

    Under COMAR 09.08.01.27, failure to respond to the Commission can itself result in disciplinary action. Responding promptly with documentation and an offer to resolve shows good faith. The MHIC often resolves complaints through mediation when the contractor cooperates. Fix the cabinets, keep your license, and learn from the experience.

  2. Catastrophic

    COMAR 09.08.01.27 specifically addresses failure to respond. The MHIC can and will take disciplinary action based solely on your non-response. This converts a simple warranty complaint (easily resolved by fixing some cabinets) into a license-threatening disciplinary matter. Always respond to MHIC communications.

All 15 complaints, warranties & the guaranty fund questions

  1. What is the MHIC Guaranty Fund?
  2. What happens if you ignore an MHIC complaint letter?
  3. Can a homeowner file an MHIC complaint after your warranty ends?
  4. Is a two-day delay grounds for an MHIC complaint?
  5. How should you prepare for an MHIC disciplinary hearing?
  6. What counts as project abandonment?
  7. How do you respond to an MHIC abandonment complaint?
  8. What documentation defends you against an MHIC complaint?
  9. How should you handle a warranty callback?
  10. Does your warranty cover damage the homeowner caused?
  11. What do you owe a client in an after-hours warranty emergency?
  12. How do you run a final walkthrough and punch list?
  13. What should a project completion package include?
  14. How do you handle a client disappointed with finished work?
  15. Who is liable when a flip buyer finds unpermitted work?