Sec. 42-246. Reinstatement of terminated agreement.

(a) If the property is returned to the lessor other than through judicial process, the lessee shall be entitled to reinstate the terminated agreement as follows:

(1) If the lessee has paid less than one-third of the total amount of payments necessary to acquire ownership of the property, the lessee shall be entitled to reinstate the terminated agreement within thirty days from the expiration of the grace period for the rental term for which the lessee last made a rental payment;

(2) If the lessee has paid one-third but less than two-thirds of the total amount of payments necessary to acquire ownership of the property, the lessee shall be entitled to reinstate the terminated agreement within ninety days from the expiration of the grace period for the rental term for which the lessee last made a rental payment;

(3) If the lessee has paid two-thirds or more of the total amount of payments necessary to acquire ownership of the property, the lessee shall be entitled to reinstate the terminated agreement within one hundred eighty days of the expiration of the grace period for the rental term for which the lessee last made a rental payment.

(b) Before reinstating a rent-to-own agreement, a lessor may require a lessee to pay any unpaid rental payments, delinquency charges, a reasonable reinstatement fee of not more than five dollars, and a delivery charge if redelivery of the rented property is necessary.

(c) On reinstatement, the lessor shall provide the lessee with the same property or substitute property of substantially comparable quality and condition. If substitute property is provided, the lessor shall provide the disclosures required in section 42-241.

(d) Only one reinstatement fee may be assessed for a delinquent renewal payment regardless of the period during which it remains in default.

(P.A. 91-162, S. 7, 18.)