Section 44-3-176. Payments received by developer on uncompleted projects to be escrowed

   (a) If a developer enters into a sales agreement to sell a time-share interval and the construction, furnishing, and landscaping of the time-share project have not been substantially completed in accordance with the representations made by the developer in the disclosures required by this article, the developer shall deposit with an escrow agent all payments received by the developer from the purchaser towards the sales price until the project is substantially complete. Funds shall be released from escrow as follows:

   (1) If a purchaser properly terminates the sales agreement pursuant to its terms or pursuant to this article, the funds shall be paid to the purchaser together with any interest earned;

   (2) If the purchaser defaults in the performance of such purchaser's obligations under the sales agreement, the funds shall be paid to the developer together with any interest earned; or

   (3) If the funds of a purchaser have not been previously disbursed in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, they may be disbursed to the developer in accordance with this article by the escrow agent upon substantial completion of the time-share project.

(b) In lieu of any escrows required by subsection (a) of this Code section, the purchasers shall have the discretion to accept in writing other financial assurances including, but not limited to, a performance bond or an irrevocable letter of credit in an amount equal to the cost to complete the time-share project.

(c) For the purpose of this Code section, "substantially completed" means that all amenities, furnishings, appliances, and structural components and mechanical systems of buildings are completed and provided as represented in the public offering statement and that the premises are ready for occupancy.

Code 1981, § 44-3-176, enacted by Ga. L. 1983, p. 1255, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 6, § 44; Ga. L. 1995, p. 1260, § 1.