R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-2 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-44 / Section 34-44-2
§ 34-44-2. Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter:

(1) Abandon or abandonment means a situation where the owner of a building has intended to abandon the building and has manifested the intent with some act or failure to act. In determining whether an owner has abandoned his or her building, a court shall infer the intent of the owner from the existence of serious code violations that pose a health and/or safety hazard to the community and that have gone unrepaired for an unreasonable amount of time and from any of the surrounding facts and circumstances including, but not limited to the following:

(i) Whether or not the building is vacant;

(ii) Whether or not the grounds are maintained;

(iii) Whether or not the buildings interior is sound;

(iv) Whether or not any vandalism on the building has gone unrepaired;

(v) Whether or not rents have been collected from the buildings tenants by the owner;

(vi) The length of time any of the above conditions have existed.

(2) Abate or abatement in connection with any property means the removal or correction of any hazardous conditions deemed to constitute a public nuisance and the making of such other improvements as are needed to affect a rehabilitation of the property that is consistent with maintaining safe and habitable conditions over the remaining useful life of the property. However, the closing or boarding up of any building that is found to be a public nuisance is not an abatement of the nuisance.

(3) Building means any building or structure used for residential purposes or used for retail stores, shops, salesrooms, markets, or similar commercial uses, or for offices, banks, civic administration activities, professional services, or similar business or civic uses.

(4) Interested party means any owner, mortgagee, lienholder, or other entity or person who or that possesses an interest of record in any property that becomes subject to the jurisdiction of the court pursuant to this chapter and any applicant for the appointment of a receiver pursuant to this chapter.

(5) Neighboring landowner means any owner of property, including any entity or person who or that is purchasing property by land installment contract or under a duly executed purchase contract, that is located within two hundred feet (200²) of any property that becomes subject to the jurisdiction of the court pursuant to this chapter.

(6) Public nuisance means a building that is a menace to the public health, welfare, or safety; or that is structurally unsafe, unsanitary; or not provided with adequate safe egress; or that constitutes a fire hazard; or is otherwise dangerous to human life; or is otherwise no longer fit and habitable; or that, in relation to existing use, constitutes a hazard to the public health, welfare, or safety by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, or abandonment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-26 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-11 / Section 34-11-26
§ 34-11-26. Use of word grant sufficient.
Status: in_force

In any conveyance of real estate the word grant shall be a sufficient word of conveyance without the use of any of the words give, bargain, sell, and convey; and no covenant or warranty shall be implied from the use of any of the words grant, grantor, and grantee.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-20-1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-20 / Section 34-20-1
§ 34-20-1. Liability for unauthorized cutting of trees or wood.
Status: in_force

Except as provided for in chapter 34 of title 39, every person who shall cut, destroy, or carry away any tree, timber, wood, or underwood whatsoever, lying or growing on the land of any other person, without leave of the owner thereof, shall, for every such trespass, pay the party injured twice the value of any tree so cut, destroyed, or carried away; and for the wood or underwood, thrice the value thereof; to be recovered by civil action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-41 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-11 / Section 34-11-41
§ 34-11-41. Reimposition of restrictive covenants.
Status: in_force

The mere recital in a deed or other instrument of conveyance to the effect that the conveyance is subject to restrictive covenants or other restrictions shall not operate to impose, reimpose, or recreate the restrictive covenants or other restrictions which have expired according to their terms or which have ceased to be valid and operative by virtue of the provisions of § 34-4-21, unless the intent to make the imposition, reimposition, or recreation is expressly stated in the instrument of conveyance, or unless the instrument whereby the restrictive covenants or other restrictions were created provides for automatic renewal or extension of the covenants.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-7-6 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-7 / Section 34-7-6
§ 34-7-6. Notice of intent to dispute interrupting adverse possession.
Status: in_force

Whenever the legal owner of any lands anticipates that any other person or persons may obtain the title to those lands, or any way, easement or privilege therein, by possession under the provisions of this chapter, he or she may give notice in writing to the person claiming or using the lands, way, easement, or privilege, of his or her intention to dispute any right arising from that claim or use; and the notice, served and recorded as hereinafter provided, shall be deemed an interruption of the use and prevent the acquiring of any right thereto by the continuance of the use for any length of time thereafter. The notice, signed by the owner of the lands, his guardian or agent, may be served by any disinterested person, making return under oath, on the party so claiming or using the property, his or her agent or guardian, if within this state, otherwise, on the tenant or occupant, if there be any; and the notice, with the return thereon, shall be recorded within three (3) months thereafter in the records of land evidence in the town in which the land is situated, and a copy of the record, certified by the recording officer to be a true copy of the record of the notice, and the return thereon, shall be evidence of the notice and of the service of the same.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-16.2 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-28 / Section 34-28-16.2
§ 34-28-16.2. Proceedings in superior court.
Status: in_force

Once the complaint, described in § 34-28-13, and containing all claims pursuant to § 34-28-16 has been filed with the court, the proceedings shall continue pursuant to the rules of civil procedure, in a nonjury proceeding.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-18 / Section 34-18-1
§ 34-18-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-10-20 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-10 / Section 34-10-20
§ 34-10-20. Spite fences.
Status: in_force

A fence or other structure in the nature of a fence which unnecessarily exceeds six feet (6²) in height and is maliciously erected or maintained for the purpose of annoying the owners or occupants of adjoining property, shall be deemed a private nuisance, and any owner or occupant who is injured, either in the comfort or enjoyment of his or her estate thereby, may have an action to recover damages for the injury.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-8-9 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-8 / Section 34-8-9
§ 34-8-9. Use of coordinate systems.
Status: in_force

The Rhode Island coordinate system of 1927 may be used up to and including December 31, 1989, but shall not be used thereafter. The Rhode Island coordinate system of 1983 may be used up to and including December 31, 1989, and shall be the exclusive Rhode Island coordinate system thereafter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-13 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-28 / Section 34-28-13
§ 34-28-13. Form of complaint to enforce lien.
Status: in_force

The complaint to enforce a lien, filed under § 34-28-10, shall set forth the particulars of the account or demand for which the plaintiff claims a lien including the amount claimed, extras, payment made, the date or dates upon which work was done or materials furnished, shall recite the actions taken under this chapter by the plaintiff for the perfection of such lien, shall particularly describe the building, canal, turnpike, railroad, improvement, and land, and the estate and title in the improvement upon which the plaintiff claims a lien. It shall include specific dates of performance of the work, providing of materials, nature of each performance, and shall pray that the lien may be enforced against the improvement, and that the improvement may be sold to satisfy the account or demand and all other accounts and demands for which the improvement is liable and stands subject to liens under § 34-28-1, 34-28-2, 34-28-3 or 34-28-7; the complaint shall also name as defendants the owner of record and/or the landlord and lessee, if applicable, under § 34-28-2, and the complaint shall also contain a list of the names and addresses of all persons who have filed notices of intention under § 34-28-4 and a list of all persons who have any recorded title, claim, lease, mortgage, attachment or other lien or encumbrance (other than under § 34-28-1, 34-28-2, 34-28-3 or 34-28-7) with relation to, on or against the building, canal, turnpike, railroad, improvement, or land or any part thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-4 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-16 / Section 34-16-4
§ 34-16-4. Action brought by person claiming through conveyance, devise, or inheritance.
Status: in_force

Any person or persons claiming title to real estate, or any interest or estate, legal or equitable, in real estate, including any warrantor in any deed or other instrument in the chain of title to the real estate, which title, interest, or estate is based upon, or has come through, a deed, grant, conveyance, devise, or inheritance, purporting to vest in the person or persons or his, her, or their predecessors in title the whole title to such real estate, or any fractional part thereof or any interest or estate therein, may bring a civil action against all persons claiming, or who may claim, and against all persons appearing to have of record any adverse interest therein, to determine the validity of his, her, or their title or estate therein, to remove any cloud thereon, and to affirm and quiet his, her, or their title to the real estate. The action may be brought under the provisions of this section whether the plaintiff may be in or out of possession and whether or not the action might be brought under the provisions of § 34-16-1 or under the provisions of any other statute.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-15-6 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-15 / Section 34-15-6
§ 34-15-6. Venue when land situated in two (2) or more counties.
Status: in_force

Partition of real estate held in joint tenancy or in common, and situated in two (2) or more counties in the state, may be sued for in any county in which any of the real estate is situated.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-4.1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-44 / Section 34-44-4.1
§ 34-44-4.1. Court determinations required.
Status: in_force

Prior to ordering any work or the furnishing of any materials to abate a public nuisance under this chapter, the court shall review the submitted financial and construction plan and shall make all of the following findings:

(1) The estimated cost of the labor, materials, and any other development costs required to abate the public nuisance;

(2) The estimated income and expenses of the property after the furnishing of the materials and the completion of the repairs and improvements;

(3) The need for conditions and availability of any financing that is necessary for the performance of the work and the furnishing of the materials;

(4) If repair and rehabilitation of the building are not found to be feasible, the cost of demolition of the building, or the portions of the building that constitute the public nuisance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-6 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-16 / Section 34-16-6
§ 34-16-6. Filing of abstract of title.
Status: in_force

Upon the filing of the complaint the court may, in its discretion, require that the plaintiff file an abstract of title to the real estate as specified in § 34-16-2.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-39-1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-39 / Section 34-39-1
§ 34-39-1. Purpose.
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to grant a special legal status to conservation restrictions and preservation restrictions so that landowners wishing to protect and preserve real property may do so without uncertainty as to the legal effect and enforceability of those restrictions. This chapter is further intended to provide the people of Rhode Island with the continued diversity of history and landscape that is unique to this state without great expenditures of public funds.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-37-9 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-37 / Section 34-37-9
§ 34-37-9. Construction.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall be construed liberally for the accomplishment of the purposes intended and any provisions of any law inconsistent with any provisions hereof shall not apply. Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to repeal any of the provisions of any law of the state prohibiting discrimination based on race or color, religion, sex, marital status, military status as a veteran with an honorable discharge or an honorable or general administrative discharge, servicemember in the armed forces, country of ancestral origin, disability, age, or familial status. Nothing contained in this chapter shall restrict the original jurisdiction of the courts to proceed with evictions as provided in chapter 18 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-42-7 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-42 / Section 34-42-7
§ 34-42-7. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-13-6 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-13 / Section 34-13-6
§ 34-13-6. Recording of certified copies.
Status: in_force

If any instrument has been recorded or filed by a city or town clerk, or recorder of deeds, in the manner prescribed by law, a copy thereof duly certified by the proper official may be recorded or filed in the office of any city or town clerk or recorder of deeds, wherein the original might properly have been recorded or filed, and, when so recorded or filed, shall have the same effect as a recording or filing of the original instrument.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-21-9 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-21 / Section 34-21-9
§ 34-21-9. Form of writ of return and restoration.
Status: in_force

The writ of return and restoration shall be substantially as follows:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-10-10 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-10 / Section 34-10-10
§ 34-10-10. Partition fences between lands under improvement.
Status: in_force

Partition fences between lands under improvement shall be made and maintained in equal halves in length and quality, by the proprietors or possessors of those lands respectively.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-3 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-11 / Section 34-11-3
§ 34-11-3. Creation of co-tenancies by deed  Conveyances between husband and wife.
Status: in_force

(a) In deeds hereafter made, lands, tenements and hereditaments, or a thing in action, may be conveyed by a person to him or herself jointly with another person by the like means by which it might be conveyed by him or her to another person; and may in like manner, be conveyed by a husband to his wife and by a wife to her husband, alone or jointly with another person; and may also in like manner, be conveyed by a husband to himself and to his wife and by a wife to herself and to her husband as tenants by the entirety; and may also in like manner be conveyed by co-tenants to any one of the co-tenants.

(b) A husband and his wife or any two (2) or more persons may convey real estate or interests therein to themselves as co-tenants under any tenancy allowable between them by law. This subsection shall not be construed so as to invalidate any deed of real estate or interest therein heretofore given by a husband and his wife or any two (2) or more persons to themselves as co-tenants under any tenancy allowable between them by law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-32-1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-32 / Section 34-32-1
§ 34-32-1. Liens on motor vehicles.
Status: in_force

No person shall attach or cause a lien to be levied upon any motor vehicle for money due for repairs to the motor vehicle in an amount exceeding an authorization signed by the owner indicating the cost of the repairs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22.2 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-18 / Section 34-18-22.2
§ 34-18-22.2. Landlords duty regarding compliance with zoning and minimum housing laws.
Status: in_force

Whenever any landlord, either by his or her own labor or through the use of others acting on his or her behalf, undertakes physical alterations to an existing building which alterations create a residential apartment or apartments, and the landlord knew or should have known that the alterations would result in the construction of an apartment or apartments which violate the applicable state and/or local zoning laws and/or state or local minimum housing codes, the landlord shall be responsible to pay the moving costs of any tenants required to move from any of the apartments because of the nonconformity of the apartments with the law; provided, however, that the landlord will be required to pay such moving costs only to a place within the same city or town where the property in violation of the law is located.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-14-1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-14 / Section 34-14-1
§ 34-14-1. Liability of tenant for life or years to reversioner or remainderman.
Status: in_force

Every person seised of any real estate for the term of his or her own life, or for the life or lives of any other person or persons, or as a tenant for years, who commits or suffers any waste on such estate, shall forfeit his or her estate in the place so wasted and double the amount of the waste so done or suffered, to be recovered in an action of waste by the person entitled to the next estate in remainder or reversion in the place so wasted.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-12 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-44 / Section 34-44-12
§ 34-44-12. Sale of building and property by receiver.
Status: in_force

(a) If a receiver appointed pursuant to § 34-44-4 files with the judge in the civil action described in § 34-44-4 a report indicating that the public nuisance has been abated, and if the judge confirms that the receiver has abated the public nuisance, and if the receiver or any interested party requests the judge to enter an order directing the receiver to sell the building and the property on which it is located, then the judge may enter that order after holding a hearing as described in subsection (c).

(b)(1) If the abatement of the nuisance has not yet occurred; and

(2) If the court approves the abatement plan presented by the receiver or any interested party; and

(3) The building at the subject property is unoccupied, then the court may enter an order, upon the receivers recommendation, directing the receiver to sell the building and property upon which it is located after holding a hearing as described in subsection (c) of this section. Any sale order and sale deed under this subsection shall include a requirement that the transfer of the property include a reverter if the abatement plan is not completed in accordance with its terms and in the timeframe established in the plan. The abatement of the property by the purchaser shall be at the purchasers sole cost and expense.

(c) The receiver or interested party requesting an order as described in subsection (a) or (b) of this section shall cause a notice of the date and time of a hearing on the request to be served on the owner of the building involved and all other interested parties in accordance with § 34-44-3. The judge in the civil action described in § 34-44-3 shall conduct the scheduled hearing. At the hearing, if the owner or any interested party objects to the sale of the building and the property, the burden of proof shall be upon the objecting person to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the benefits of not selling the building and the property outweigh the benefits of selling them. If the judge determines that there is no objecting person, or if the judge determines that there is one or more objecting persons but no objecting person has sustained the burden of proof specified herein, the judge may enter an order directing the receiver to offer the building and the property for sale upon terms and conditions that the judge shall specify, and may further order the removal of any clouds on the title to the building and property by reason of any liens or encumbrances that are inferior to any claims of the receiver, as provided by § 34-44-6(9), or if the receivership action is pending in a court other than the superior court, the judge may order the receiver to petition the superior court to order the removal of any clouds on the title to the building or property. An order by the superior court to remove any cloud on the title to the building and property shall be binding upon all those claiming by, through, under, or by virtue of, any inferior liens or encumbrances.

(d) The court may give priority in a sale to any party willing to:

(1) Designate and deed restrict the property for low- and moderate-income housing, as defined in § 45-53-3; or

(2) Resell the property at least ten percent (10%) below an appraised market value; or

(3) Designate any residential units in the property for occupancy through any housing choice voucher program; or

(4) Restrict use of the property to owner-occupancy for a period of not less than twenty-four (24) months from the date of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

The waiver of any portion of the delinquent real estate taxes or zoning or minimum housing fines pursuant to subsection (e) of this section may qualify as a municipal subsidy under § 45-53-3.

(e) If a sale of a building and the property on which it is located is ordered pursuant to subsections (a)  (d) and if the sale occurs in accordance with the terms and conditions specified by the judge in the judges order of sale, then the receiver shall distribute the proceeds of the sale and the balance of any funds that the receiver may possess, after the payment of the costs of the sale, in the following order of priority and in the described manner:

(1) First, the amount due for delinquent taxes and assessments owed to this state or a political subdivision of this state;

(2) Second, in satisfaction of any mortgage liability incurred by the receiver pursuant to § 34-44-6, in their order of priority;

(3) Third, any unreimbursed expenses and other amounts paid in accordance with § 34-44-6 by the receiver, and the fees of the receiver assessed pursuant to § 34-44-8; and

(4) Fourth, the amount of any pre-receivership mortgages, liens, or other encumbrances, in their order of priority.

(f) Following a distribution in accordance with subsection (e), the receiver shall request the judge in the civil action described in § 34-44-3 to enter an order terminating the receivership. If the judge determines that the sale of the building and the property on which it is located occurred in accordance with the terms and conditions specified by the judge in his or her order of sale under subsection (c) and that the receiver distributed the proceeds of the sale and the balance of any funds that the receiver possessed, after the payment of the costs of the sale, in accordance with subsection (e), and if the judge approves any final accounting required of the receiver, the judge may terminate the receivership.

(g) If a judge in a civil action described in § 34-44-3 enters a declaration that a public nuisance has been abated by a receiver, and if, within three (3) days after the entry of the declaration, all costs, expenses, and approved fees of the receivership have not been paid in full, the judge may enter an order directing the receiver to sell the building involved and the property on which it is located. The order shall be entered, and the sale shall occur, only in compliance with subsections (b)  (d), as applicable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-22-6.1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-22 / Section 34-22-6.1
§ 34-22-6.1. When power of attorney not affected by incompetency.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever a donor of a power of attorney designates another his or her attorney in fact or agent by a power of attorney in writing and the writing contains the words This power of attorney shall not be affected by the incompetency of the donor, or This power of attorney shall become effective upon the incompetency of the donor, or similar words showing the intent of the donor that the authority conferred is exercisable notwithstanding the donors incompetency, the authority of the attorney in fact or agent is exercisable as provided in the power on behalf of the donor notwithstanding later incompetency of the donor at law or later uncertainty as to whether the donor is dead or alive, and unless it states a time of termination, the authority conferred remains exercisable notwithstanding the lapse of time since the execution of the instrument. All acts done by the attorney in fact or agent pursuant to the power during any period of incompetence or uncertainty as to whether the donor is dead or alive have the same effect and inure to the benefit of and bind the donor or the donors heirs, devisees, and personal representative as if the donor were alive and competent. If a guardian or conservator subsequently is appointed for the donor, the attorney in fact or agent, during the continuance of the appointment, accounts to the guardian or conservator rather than the donor. The guardian or conservator has the same power the donor would have had if the donor were not incompetent to revoke, suspend, or terminate all or any part of the power of attorney or agency.

(b) Any person who acts in good faith reliance on a power of attorney, whether such power is authorized pursuant to subsection (a) of this section or is otherwise valid on its face, shall incur no liability as a result of acting in accordance with the instructions of the attorney in fact or agent.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-20-3 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-20 / Section 34-20-3
§ 34-20-3. Action by cotenants.
Status: in_force

In actions concerning any estate held or claimed in coparcenary, common or joint tenancy, where the possession of the estate claimed is the object of the action, the same may be commenced by all or any two (2) or more of the coparceners, tenants in common or joint tenants, or the same may be brought by each one for his or her particular share of the estate, and the same rules shall prevail in actions for mesne profits.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-36-14 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-36 / Section 34-36-14
§ 34-36-14. Descriptions of unit.
Status: in_force

Every deed, lease, mortgage, or other instrument may legally describe a unit by its identifying number or symbol as designated in the declaration or as shown on the record of survey map, and every description shall be deemed good and sufficient for all purposes, and shall be deemed to convey, transfer, encumber, or otherwise affect the unit owners corresponding percentage of ownership in the common areas and facilities even though the description is not expressly mentioned or described.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-50-6 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-50 / Section 34-50-6
§ 34-50-6. Recording of court order.
Status: in_force

If an unfair service agreement or a notice or memorandum thereof is recorded in this state, any person with an interest in the real property that is the subject of that agreement may apply to the superior court in the county where the recording exists to record a court order declaring the agreement unenforceable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-33 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-18 / Section 34-18-33
§ 34-18-33. Fire or casualty damage.
Status: in_force

(a) If the dwelling unit or premises are damaged or destroyed by fire or casualty to an extent that enjoyment of the dwelling unit is substantially impaired, the tenant may:

(1) Immediately vacate the premises and notify the landlord in writing within fourteen (14) days thereafter of his or her intention to terminate the rental agreement, in which case the rental agreement terminates as of the date of vacating; or

(2) If continued occupancy is lawful, vacate any part of the dwelling unit rendered unusable by the fire or casualty, in which case the tenants liability for rent is reduced in proportion to the diminution in the fair rental value of the dwelling unit.

(b) If the rental agreement is terminated the landlord shall return all security recoverable under § 34-18-19 and all prepaid rent. Accounting for rent in the event of termination or apportionment shall be made as of the date of the fire or casualty.

(c) This section shall not be construed to limit the right of the landlord to recover in an action in tort damages resulting from a fire or other casualty damage caused either negligently or deliberately by the tenant.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-12-7 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-12 / Section 34-12-7
§ 34-12-7. Contents of certificate of armed forces officer.
Status: in_force

In the taking of acknowledgments and the performing of other notarial acts requiring certification, a certificate endorsed upon or attached to the instrument or documents, which shows the date of the notarial act and which states, in substance that the person appearing before the officer acknowledged the instrument as his or her act or made or signed the instrument or document under oath, shall be sufficient for all intents and purposes. The instrument or document shall not be rendered invalid by the failure to state the place of execution or acknowledgment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-32 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-28 / Section 34-28-32
§ 34-28-32. Contractor excused from completing work upon filing of complaint.
Status: in_force

Whenever any such building, canal, turnpike, railroad, or other improvement shall be subject to sale under this chapter, from and after the filing of any complaint under §§ 34-28-10 and 34-28-13, any contractor who shall not have fully completed his or her contract in relation to the erection, construction, alteration, or reparation thereof, shall thereafter be excused from completing the contract, unless unreasonable conduct by the contractor has contributed materially to the facts giving rise to the filing of the complaint (in which case the person contracting with the contractor may at his or her option excuse the contractor), but the excuse from completing the contract shall terminate if and when the building, canal, turnpike, railroad, or other improvement and the land on which the improvement exists, shall be released and discharged under the provisions of § 34-28-17, unless unreasonable conduct by the owner or lessee or tenant has contributed materially to the facts giving rise to the filing of the complaint.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-42-6 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-42 / Section 34-42-6
§ 34-42-6. Savings clause.
Status: in_force

All rental agreements entered into before June 28, 1985, and not extended or renewed after that date, and the rights, duties, and interests flowing from them shall remain valid and may be enforced or terminated in accordance with their terms or as permitted by any other provisions of the general or public laws.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-21-1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-21 / Section 34-21-1
§ 34-21-1. Property repleviable on superior court writ.
Status: in_force

Whenever any goods or chattels of more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) value shall be unlawfully taken or unlawfully detained from the owner or from the person entitled to the possession thereof, and whenever any goods or chattels of that value, which are attached on mesne process or execution or warrant of distress, are claimed by any person other than the defendant in the suit or process in which they are attached, the owner or other person may cause the same to be replevied by writ of replevin issuing from the superior court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-42-3 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-42 / Section 34-42-3
§ 34-42-3. Owners lien.
Status: in_force

(a) The owner of a self-service storage facility and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns shall have a lien on all personal property located at a self-service storage facility for rent, labor, insurance, or other valid charges, present or future, in relation to the personal property stored, and for expenses necessary for the preservation of the personal property or reasonably incurred in its sale pursuant to law. The lien attaches as of the date the personal property is stored in the self-service storage facility, and the rental agreement shall contain a conspicuous statement notifying the occupant of the existence of the lien.

(b) The owner loses its lien on any personal property that it voluntarily delivers or that it unjustifiably refuses to deliver.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-6-1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-6 / Section 34-6-1
§ 34-6-1. Sale of real estate free of charges  Provisions for payment of sums charged.
Status: in_force

When real estate is charged with the payment of money, either in fixed sums or in annuities for a life or lives or for years, the superior court may, upon the petition of the persons holding title thereto subject to the charge of such payment, and after notice and hearing, authorize them to sell and to convey by private sale or public auction the whole or any portion of the real estate in fee simple and free from the charge whether present or future, certain or contingent; and the court shall in that case provide by its decree for the payment of the sums charged upon the real estate (1) by placing the whole or any portion of the proceeds of the sale thereof in the hands of a trustee to be appointed by it, (2) by the purchase of annuities for the persons entitled to receive the sums so charged, or (3) by any other means which shall be deemed just and reasonable. The trustee shall give bond in such sum as the court may order and shall, under the direction of the court, manage and account for the trust fund and shall distribute the income thereof according to its decree. In case of appointment of a trustee, the court shall have power to remove him and appoint another in his stead, and to fill a vacancy in the trusteeship, whenever occasion may require.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-12-8 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-12 / Section 34-12-8
§ 34-12-8. Proof of authority of armed forces officer.
Status: in_force

If the signature, rank, and branch of service or subdivision thereof, of any such commissioned officer appear upon such instrument or document or certificate, no further proof of authority of the officer so to act shall be required and the action by the commissioned officer shall be prima facie evidence that the person making the oath or acknowledgment is within the purview of §§ 34-12-5  34-12-7.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-36-36 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-36 / Section 34-36-36
§ 34-36-36. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any provision of this chapter, or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or application of the chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-37-4.6 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-37 / Section 34-37-4.6
§ 34-37-4.6. Discrimination based on lawful source of income  Exemption.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit an owner of a housing accommodation from refusing to rent to a person based on their lawful source of income if the housing accommodation is three (3) units or less, one of which is occupied by the owner.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-4-3 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-4 / Section 34-4-3
§ 34-4-3. Purported grant of estate greater than owned by grantor.
Status: in_force

A conveyance made by a tenant for life or for years, purporting to grant a greater estate than he or she possesses or can lawfully convey, shall not work a forfeiture of his or her estate, but shall pass to the grantee all the estate which the tenant can lawfully convey.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-5-8 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-5 / Section 34-5-8
§ 34-5-8. Disposition of disclaimed interest.
Status: in_force

(a) A disclaimer complying with all the applicable requirements of this chapter shall be effective according to its terms, and shall be irrevocable, upon execution in accordance with the provisions of § 34-5-4, and filing in accordance with the provisions of § 34-5-6.

(b) Unless the will or inter vivos instrument creating the interest in property so disclaimed provides for another disposition of the interest, the interest shall pass in the same manner as if the disclaimant had died immediately preceding the event determining that he, she, or it is the beneficiary of the interest. If a disclaimer relates to an interest disposed of by a particular provision of the will or inter vivos instrument, then the interest so disclaimed shall pass in the same manner as if the disclaimant had died immediately preceding the event determining that he, she, or it is the beneficiary of that interest, but only for the purposes of that provision and the interest may pass to or for the benefit of the disclaimant under other provisions of the will or inter vivos instrument. A future interest that takes effect in possession or enjoyment at or after the termination of the disclaimed interest shall take effect in the same manner as it would have if the disclaimant had died immediately preceding the event determining that he, she, or it is the beneficiary of the disclaimed interest. The disclaimer shall relate back for all purposes to that date.

(c) The interest in property being disclaimed shall never vest in the beneficiary.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-19-2 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-19 / Section 34-19-2
§ 34-19-2. Issuance of summons to defendant.
Status: in_force

The court shall also make out a summons to the party complained against in the form following:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-8-3 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-8 / Section 34-8-3
§ 34-8-3. Location of point by coordinates.
Status: in_force

The plane coordinate values for a point on the earths surface, to be used to express the geographic position or location of such point on the Rhode Island coordinate system, shall consist of two (2) distances, expressed in U. S. survey feet and decimals of a survey foot when using the Rhode Island coordinate system of 1927, and expressed in meters and decimals of a meter when using the Rhode Island coordinate system of 1983. One of these distances, to be known as the x-coordinate, shall give the position in an east and west direction; the other, to be known as the y-coordinate, shall give the position in a north and south direction. These coordinates shall be made to depend upon and conform to plane rectangular coordinate values for the monumented points of the North American horizontal geodetic control network as published by the national ocean survey/national geodetic survey or its successors, and whose plane coordinates have been computed on the systems defined in this chapter. Any such station may be used for establishing a survey connection to either Rhode Island coordinate system set forth in § 34-8-1 of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-36-30 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-36 / Section 34-36-30
§ 34-36-30. Reconstruction on insured loss.
Status: in_force

In case of fire or any other disaster, the insurance proceeds, if sufficient to reconstruct the building, shall be applied to such reconstruction. Reconstruction of the building, as used in this section and § 34-36-31 means restoring the building to substantially the same condition in which it existed prior to the fire or other disaster, with each unit and the common elements having the same vertical and horizontal boundaries as before.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-24-8 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-24 / Section 34-24-8
§ 34-24-8. Agreements affecting landlords interests  Agreements to subordinate prior liens.
Status: in_force

An assignment of or an agreement affecting any rights or interests of a landlord or owner of premises occupied by a tenant or person planting on shares, or an agreement to subordinate a prior lien or encumbrance on real property, may be recorded in the land records in the office of the clerk of the town in which the premises are situated, and the clerk shall in each case enter a reference to the record of the subordination agreement on the margin of the record of the instrument affected thereby. Any agreement herein provided for shall be valid and enforceable against the party executing the agreement from the time of execution and delivery thereof and against all creditors of the party and all persons claiming under or through the party from the time of the recording thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-50-7 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-50 / Section 34-50-7
§ 34-50-7. Rights of recovery.
Status: in_force

If an unfair service agreement or a notice or memorandum thereof is recorded in this state, any person with an interest in the real property that is the subject of that agreement may recover such actual damages, costs and attorneys fees as may be proven against the service provider who recorded the agreement.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-7-1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-7 / Section 34-7-1
§ 34-7-1. Conclusive title by peaceful possession under claim of title.
Status: in_force

Where any person or persons, or others from whom he, she, or they derive their title, either by themselves, tenants or lessees, shall have been for the space of ten (10) years in the uninterrupted, quiet, peaceful and actual seisin and possession of any lands, tenements or hereditaments for and during that time, claiming the same as his, her or their proper, sole and rightful estate in fee simple, the actual seisin and possession shall be allowed to give and make a good and rightful title to the person or persons, their heirs and assigns forever; and any plaintiff suing for the recovery of any such lands may rely upon the possession as conclusive title thereto, and this chapter being pleaded in bar to any action that shall be brought for the lands, tenements or hereditaments, and the actual seisin and possession being duly proved, shall be allowed to be good, valid and effectual in law for barring the action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-49-7 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-49 / Section 34-49-7
§ 34-49-7. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter, which can be given effect without the invalid provision or applications, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-28 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-18 / Section 34-18-28
§ 34-18-28. Noncompliance by the landlord in general.
Status: in_force

(a) Except as provided by this chapter, if there is a noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or a noncompliance with § 34-18-22 materially affecting health and safety, the tenant may deliver a written notice to the landlord specifying the acts and omissions constituting the breach and that the rental agreement will terminate upon a date not less than thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice if the breach is not remedied in twenty (20) days, and the rental agreement shall terminate as provided in the notice subject to the following:

(1) If the breach is remediable by repairs, the payment of damages or otherwise and the landlord adequately remedies the breach before the date specified in the notice, the rental agreement shall not terminate by reason of the breach.

(2) If substantially the same act or omission which constituted a prior noncompliance of which notice was given recurs within six (6) months, the tenant may terminate the rental agreement upon at least fourteen (14) days written notice specifying the breach and the date of termination of the rental agreement.

(3) The tenant may not terminate for a condition caused by the deliberate or negligent act or omission of the tenant, a member of his or her family, or other person on the premises with his or her consent.

(b) Except as provided in this chapter, the tenant may recover actual damages and obtain injunctive relief for noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or § 34-18-22. If the landlords noncompliance is willful, the tenant may recover reasonable attorneys fees.

(c) The remedy provided in subsection (b) of this section is in addition to any right of the tenant arising under subsection (a).

(d) If the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall return all security recoverable by the tenant under § 34-18-19 and all prepaid rent.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-38-5 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-38 / Section 34-38-5
§ 34-38-5. Approval or disapproval of filing and issuance of license.
Status: in_force

The department shall, upon completion of its investigation and inspection but, in the absence of any agreement to the contrary between the applicant and the department, in any case not later than three (3) months from the receipt of the completed license application, or receipt of the effective statement of record filed with the secretary of housing and urban development and filed with the department pursuant to § 34-38-2(c), approve or disapprove the prospectus, property report, or offering statement submitted under § 34-38-2(c) or § 34-38-3, as the case may be, and shall, if satisfied that the sale of the properties would not be fraudulent nor result in fraud nor be against the public interest, issue to the applicant a license to advertise, offer, and dispose of in this state the subdivision or parcels, units, or other interests in any subdivision the subject of the application or the effective statement of record; the license shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance and thereafter within thirty (30) days of expiration may be renewed annually upon payment to the department of a fee of one hundred dollars ($100) in respect of each subdivision covered by the license, unless there is a material change affecting the subdivision or lot, parcels, units, or other interest in any subdivision or the offer or disposition thereof, in which case all new facts shall be reported to the department immediately. Upon receipt of the report or in the event that any material change is discovered by or comes to the attention of the department through other sources, the department may, after hearing pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42, take such action as it considers necessary, including the suspension or revocation of the license if justified.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-36-24 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-36 / Section 34-36-24
§ 34-36-24. Common profits and expenses  Distribution and charging.
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise provided in the declaration or lawful amendments thereto, the common profits of the property shall be distributed among, and the common expenses shall be charged to, the unit owners according to the percentage of their undivided interest in the common areas and facilities.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-10-14 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-10 / Section 34-10-14
§ 34-10-14. Holding and improving partition fences  Agreements between owners.
Status: in_force

In all cases where partition fences are erected as one-half (Â½) of the partition fence between proprietors or possessors of adjoining lands, or where the fence may be hereafter erected by the agreement of the parties in interest or other lawful manner, the proprietors of the fences in either of the cases erected, their heirs, successors, or assigns, shall hold and improve the fences without molestation; and shall be forever afterwards excused from making other fence on such dividing line in all cases whatever, except by the special agreement of the parties to the contrary; and all agreements which shall be made relating to the partition fences shall be registered in the office of the town clerk in the town where such lands shall lie.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-48 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-18 / Section 34-18-48
§ 34-18-48. Execution.
Status: in_force

If no appeal is claimed, and if the judgment has not been satisfied, execution shall be issued on the sixth (6th) day following judgment. Executions shall be issued to the division of sheriffs or certified constable. Every execution issued by any district court pursuant to this chapter shall continue in full force and effect for one year after the date thereof and be returnable to the district court that issued it in accordance with the provisions of § 9-25-21. All costs, including reasonable moving costs, incurred by the division of sheriffs or certified constable in carrying out the mandates of the execution may be added to the execution by the clerk upon approval of the court upon presentment of evidence of the costs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-5 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-16 / Section 34-16-5
§ 34-16-5. Contents of complaint.
Status: in_force

The complaint shall contain, among other things, to the extent known to plaintiff:

(1) A complete and accurate description of the real estate involved, and the right, title and interest of the plaintiff claimed therein and the character and source thereof;

(2) A recital of the character and source of claims adverse, or which may become adverse, whether asserted or unasserted, and, if unasserted, then of record;

(3) The names and last known addresses of those asserting, or who may assert, any adverse claims;

(4) The efforts made to ascertain and determine those claimants, who, or whose names and/or addresses, are unknown to plaintiff;

(5) The duration of ownership, occupation, possession, and enjoyment by the plaintiff, and when relevant, by his or her predecessors in title, of the estate involved, together with a recital of acts performed as a normal incident of the possession enjoyed and the title claimed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-14-3 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-14 / Section 34-14-3
§ 34-14-3. Action in name of co-tenants.
Status: in_force

In a case of waste as described in § 34-14-2, any one or more of the other joint tenants, tenants in common, or co-parceners, may commence an action for waste in the name of all the joint tenants, tenants in common, or co-parceners.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-21-6 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-21 / Section 34-21-6
§ 34-21-6. Insufficient bond.
Status: in_force

In case the defendant shall at any time pending the writ of replevin be dissatisfied with the amount of the sureties or the surety company in the bond, the court before which the writ is pending may, on the defendants motion and for cause shown, in its discretion order the plaintiff to give further bond or further surety; and if the plaintiff does not comply with such order, the plaintiffs action shall be dismissed and judgment shall be rendered for the defendant, for a return and restoration of the goods and chattels replevied and for damages and costs, the same as if the plaintiff had neglected to enter the writ of replevin.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-12-5 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-12 / Section 34-12-5
§ 34-12-5. Power of armed forces officers to take acknowledgments.
Status: in_force

In addition to the acknowledgment of instruments and the performance of other notarial acts in the manner and form and as otherwise authorized by law, instruments may be acknowledged, documents attested, oaths and affirmations administered, depositions and affidavits executed, and other notarial acts performed, before or by any commissioned officer in active service of the armed forces of the United States with the rank of second lieutenant or higher in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps, or with the rank of ensign or higher in the Navy or Coast Guard, or with equivalent rank in any other component part of the armed forces of the United States, including the Space Force, by any person without the limits of the United States, and to any person who is a member of the armed forces who is within or without the limits of the United States and their lawful dependents.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-36-34.2 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-36 / Section 34-36-34.2
§ 34-36-34.2. Punitive damages  Attorneys fees.
Status: in_force

The court may, in its discretion, award punitive damages and may award reasonable attorneys fees and costs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-4-17 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-4 / Section 34-4-17
§ 34-4-17. Barring of equitable estates tail.
Status: in_force

Equitable estates tail in possession or remainder, and all remainders and reversions expectant on them, may be barred in the same manner as legal estates tail and the remainders and reversions expectant on them; and all conveyances of equitable estates tail made by deed in common form in which the intention is expressed of barring the entail, and reference is made to the specific land by metes and bounds, or by other definite description, shall bar the estate tail and all remainders and reversions expectant thereon.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-10-9 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-10 / Section 34-10-9
§ 34-10-9. Placement of partition fences  Maintenance throughout year.
Status: in_force

All partition fences shall run on the dividing line, and the owners shall have the right to place one-half (Â½) of the width thereof on the land of each adjoining proprietor. The fences shall be kept up and maintained in good order through the year, unless the parties concerned shall otherwise agree.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-20 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-28 / Section 34-28-20
§ 34-28-20. Persons entitled to contest claims.
Status: in_force

Every defendant to any complaint and every person claiming to have a lien under § 34-28-1, 34-28-2 or 34-28-3 on the property described therein or on any part thereof, and every person claiming an interest therein by title, claim, lease, mortgage, attachment, or other lien or encumbrance, may contest the right of the plaintiff and of all others claiming a lien under this chapter to the property or any part thereof to any lien, as well as the amount of the claim.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-27-1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-27 / Section 34-27-1
§ 34-27-1. Complaint to foreclose.
Status: in_force

Any person entitled to foreclose the equity of redemption in any mortgaged estate, whether real or personal, may prefer a complaint to foreclose it, which complaint may be heard, tried, and determined according to the usages in chancery and the principles of equity.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-35-4 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-35 / Section 34-35-4
§ 34-35-4. Citation of unknown owner.
Status: in_force

If the owner of the property is unknown, the complaint may be filed thirty (30) days after the money becomes due, and a citation may issue to the unknown owner, describing the property. In that case, or if the residence of the owner is unknown, the citation may be served by publication in the manner as the court may direct.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-37-2.4 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-37 / Section 34-37-2.4
§ 34-37-2.4. Right to equal housing opportunities  Victims of domestic violence status.
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful and against public policy to discriminate against a tenant or applicant for housing solely on the basis that said tenant or applicant is a victim of domestic violence.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-35-1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-35 / Section 34-35-1
§ 34-35-1. Complaint for order of sale.
Status: in_force

Whoever has a lien for money due him or her on account of work and labor, care and diligence, or money expended on or about personal property or for storage of personal property or has a lien therefor on account by reason of any contract expressed or implied, if the money is not paid within thirty (30) days after a demand in writing delivered to the owner or one of the owners, or left at his or her usual place of abode, if within this state, with some person living there, or made by letter mailed to him or her at his or her usual post office address outside the state, may apply for an order for the sale of the property in satisfaction of the debt by civil action in the superior court for the county where the plaintiff or one of the plaintiffs resides.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-5-11 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-5 / Section 34-5-11
§ 34-5-11. Effect on other laws.
Status: in_force

Except for the provisions of § 34-5-9, this chapter shall not abridge the right of any person to disclaim, waive, release, renounce, or abandon any interest in property under any other statute or rule of law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-4-10 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-4 / Section 34-4-10
§ 34-4-10. Construction of amendment to § 34-4-9.
Status: in_force

Section 34-4-9 shall be deemed to be declaratory of the purposes of that section as originally enacted, and shall not be construed to invalidate any action taken by any trustee or trustees appointed under § 34-4-7 prior to June 3, 1947.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-22-9 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-22 / Section 34-22-9
§ 34-22-9. Good faith acts under revoked military members power of attorney.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the revocation of any power of attorney given by a member of the military, whether by act of the donor of the power or by operation of law, any act done or instrument executed by the donee of the power shall be as valid and effectual in favor of any person dealing with the donee as if the power had remained unrevoked at the time when the act was done or the instrument was executed unless the person dealing with the donee had at that time actual notice of the revocation of the power.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-29-3 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-29 / Section 34-29-3
§ 34-29-3. Priority of lien over owners interest.
Status: in_force

The lien created hereby shall be paramount to the title, lien, interest, or incumbrance of any owner or owners, as herein defined, unless the owner or owners shall have notified the processor by registered or certified mail of the interest of the owner or owners prior to the time when the processor shall commence to perform work or labor or to furnish materials in and about the activities set forth in § 34-29-2 and prior to the time that any lien on the goods shall have arisen by virtue of the provisions of this chapter; and this paramount right of the processor shall not be surrendered or waived excepting by express written agreement between the parties involved.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-4-2 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-4 / Section 34-4-2
§ 34-4-2. Grant for life with remainder to heirs in fee.
Status: in_force

When lands are conveyed by deed or devised by will hereafter executed, to a person for his or her life, and after his or her death to his or her heirs in fee, or by words to that legal effect, the conveyance or devise shall be construed to vest an estate for life only in the first taker and a remainder in fee simple in his or her heirs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-14 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-16 / Section 34-16-14
§ 34-16-14. Proof of title  Judgment.
Status: in_force

No decision, judgment, or decree, excepting decrees taking the matter as confessed, shall be entered by default, but proof satisfactory to the court shall be offered in support of plaintiffs claim of title and of all claims known to be, or which may be, adverse thereto, and the court shall thereafter enter judgment in accordance with the law and the evidence. The judgment, when final, shall be conclusive against all persons served as herein required, both known and unknown, and whether under disability or not, and whether service was personal, by registered or certified mail, or by publication.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-61 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-18 / Section 34-18-61
§ 34-18-61. Convenience fees prohibited.
Status: in_force

(a) A landlord shall not charge a convenience fee to a tenants rental payment.

(b) Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to any landlord that accepts a form of payment of rent that does not require a convenience fee for such payment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-9-2 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-9 / Section 34-9-2
§ 34-9-2. Appointment of commissioners  Report  Recording.
Status: in_force

Upon such petition the court may appoint three (3) commissioners to make a survey of the land within and adjacent to the harbor line, covering the area of land as the commissioners may deem necessary, to include the interests of all persons whose rights may be affected by the determination of the lines; and the commissioners, being first sworn to a faithful discharge of their duties, shall determine the boundary lines of the interests of all the persons whose rights may be affected by the determination of the lines, and shall report to the court the boundaries so established, with a plat of the land, within and adjacent to the harbor line, showing the lines established for each person having an interest therein, which plat, after its approval by the court, shall by order of the court be recorded in the records of land evidence in the town where such land lies and in the office of the director of environmental management.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-16-12 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-16 / Section 34-16-12
§ 34-16-12. Service on defendants unknown or with unknown addresses.
Status: in_force

Service of process upon all unknown defendants, resident or nonresident, or others known, but whose names or addresses are unknown to, or unascertained by, the plaintiff shall be made by publication of an order of notice, to be entered by the court in some public newspaper published in this state, to be designated by the court, for such length of time as the court shall direct.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-13-4 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-13 / Section 34-13-4
§ 34-13-4. Entry of time of presentation for recording  Receiving book.
Status: in_force

Whenever any instrument entitled to be recorded shall be presented for recording, the town clerk or recorder of deeds, as the case may be, immediately upon its presentment, shall cause to be entered in writing on the instrument the day, the hour, and the minute when the instrument was presented for recording, and shall enter this information, in the order of presentment, in a receiving book to be kept for that purpose.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-36-9 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-36 / Section 34-36-9
§ 34-36-9. Alterations.
Status: in_force

No unit owner shall do any work or make any alterations or changes which would jeopardize the soundness or safety of the property, reduce its value or impair any easement or hereditament, without in every such case the unanimous written consent of all the other unit owners being first obtained.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-36 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-11 / Section 34-11-36
§ 34-11-36. Defective acknowledgments.
Status: in_force

Any acknowledgment of or upon any instrument used in conveying, directly or indirectly, any interest in real estate in this state, including power of attorney, where the instrument has been on record for a period of ten (10) years, shall be construed to be a valid acknowledgment in accordance with the requirements of chapter 12 of this title; provided, nevertheless, that if, within the period of ten (10) years, a proceeding is commenced in superior court relative to the validity of the acknowledgment, and a notice of lis pendens is duly recorded and indexed with the appropriate records of land evidence, the instrument shall be subject to the further order of the court involved in any such proceeding.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-18 / Section 34-18-37
§ 34-18-37. Termination of periodic tenancy.
Status: in_force

(a) The landlord or the tenant may terminate a week-to-week tenancy by a written notice, in a form substantially similar to that provided in § 34-18-56(c), delivered to the other at least ten (10) days before the termination date specified in the notice.

(b) The landlord or the tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy or any periodic tenancy for more than a month or less than a year by a written notice, in a form substantially similar to that provided in § 34-18-56(c), delivered to the other at least thirty (30) days before the date specified in the notice.

(c) The landlord or tenant may terminate a year-to-year tenancy by written notice, in a form substantially similar to that provided in § 34-18-56(c), delivered to the other at least three (3) months prior to the expiration of the occupation year.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-5-4 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-5 / Section 34-5-4
§ 34-5-4. Form of disclaimer.
Status: in_force

A disclaimer shall be in writing, shall describe the interest in property being disclaimed, shall declare the disclaimer and the extent of the disclaimer, shall be clear and unequivocal, and shall be signed by the beneficiary, the duly appointed guardian or conservator of a beneficiary or the legal representative of a deceased beneficiarys estate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-13-3 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-13 / Section 34-13-3
§ 34-13-3. Affidavits as to acts under power of sale.
Status: in_force

Whenever any administrator, executor, guardian, receiver, sheriff, mortgagee or any person acting under a power of sale in any mortgage deed, deed of trust or other conveyance, sells or causes to be sold any real estate lying within this state, the title to which will in any manner depend upon notice of sale to be published in any newspaper, if the person or persons causing the sale to be made causes a copy of the advertisement, in pursuance of which the sale is made, to be attached to the deed given thereunder, together with his, her or their affidavit, or, if a corporation, the affidavit of its duly authorized officer, stating when, how many times and in what newspaper or newspapers the advertisement was published, and the manner, time and place of making the sale, the copy and affidavit shall be recorded with the deed to which they are attached, and the record thereof shall be prima facie evidence of the truth of the matters and things therein stated, but the omission of the copy and affidavit shall not affect the validity of the conveyance if otherwise valid.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-36-27 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-36 / Section 34-36-27
§ 34-36-27. Separate assessment for taxation.
Status: in_force

(a) Each unit and its percentage of undivided interest in the common areas and facilities shall be deemed to be a parcel and shall be subject to separate assessment and taxation by each assessing unit and special district for all types of taxes authorized by law including but not limited to ad valorem levies and special assessments. Neither the building or buildings, the property nor any of the common areas and facilities shall be deemed to be a parcel.

(b) No forfeiture or sale of the improvements or the property as a whole for delinquent real estate taxes, special assessments, or charges shall ever divest or in any way affect the title to an individual unit so long as the real estate taxes or duly levied share of the assessments and charges on the individual unit are currently paid.

(c) Any exemption from taxes that may exist on real property or the ownership thereof shall not be denied by virtue of the submission of the property to the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-45-1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-45 / Section 34-45-1
§ 34-45-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as The Affordable Housing Preservation Act of 1988.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-15-24 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-15 / Section 34-15-24
§ 34-15-24. Appointment of persons to make partition.
Status: in_force

In actions for partition, after judgment for partition has been entered, the superior court on motion shall appoint and commission one or more discreet, impartial, and disinterested persons to make partition pursuant to such judgment, who shall be sworn to the faithful discharge of their trust.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-18 / Section 34-18-19
§ 34-18-19. Security deposits.
Status: in_force

(a) A landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess of one months periodic rent.

(b) Upon termination of the tenancy, the amount of security deposit due to the tenant shall be the entire amount given by the tenant as a security deposit, minus any amount of unpaid accrued rent, the amount due, if any, for reasonable cleaning expenses, the amount due, if any, for reasonable trash disposal expenses and the amount of physical damages to the premises, other than ordinary wear and tear, that the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenants noncompliance with § 34-18-24, all as itemized by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant. The landlord shall deliver the notice, together with the amount of the security deposit due to the tenant, within twenty (20) days after the later of either termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenants providing the landlord with a forwarding address for the purpose of receiving the security deposit.

(c) If the landlord fails to comply with subsection (b), the tenant may recover the amount due him or her, together with damages in an amount equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorney fees.

(d) This section does not preclude the landlord or tenant from recovering other damages to which he or she may be entitled under this chapter.

(e) This section does not preclude any landlord who rents a furnished apartment from demanding or receiving a furniture security deposit if the replacement value of the furniture being furnished by the landlord valued at the time the lease is executed is five thousand dollars ($5,000) or greater, in which instance the landlord may charge a separate furniture security deposit of up to one months periodic rent.

(f) Upon termination of the tenancy, the amount of furniture security deposit due to the tenant shall be the entire amount given by the tenant as a furniture security deposit, minus the amount due, if any, for reasonable cleaning expenses and repair and the amount of physical damages to the furniture, other than ordinary wear and tear. The landlord shall deliver the notice, together with the amount of the furniture security deposit due to the tenant, within twenty (20) days after the later of either termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenants providing the landlord with a forwarding address for the purpose of receiving the furniture security deposit.

(g) In the event the landlord transfers his or her interest in the premises, the holder of the landlords interest in the premises at the time of the termination of the tenancy is bound by this section.

(h) No rental agreement shall contain any waiver of the provisions of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-15-9 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-15 / Section 34-15-9
§ 34-15-9. Continuance on failure of absentee to appear  Appointment of agent.
Status: in_force

If the defendant does not appear to answer the partition action, the cause shall be continued or delayed until his or her return, provided the defendant on or before the expiration of three (3) months from the time when the proceeding shall have been commenced, at which time, if the defendant does not appear to answer the action, the court shall appoint some discreet and disinterested person as agent of the defendant, who shall defend the action, and in case judgment is rendered for partition, shall attend to the partition to be made and take care of the interest of the person for whom he or she has been appointed agent as aforesaid.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-5-6 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-5 / Section 34-5-6
§ 34-5-6. Filing and service of disclaimer.
Status: in_force

(a) The original of the disclaimer or an attested copy of the disclaimer, if filing is required to be made with more than one office, shall be filed:

(1) In the case of personal property, in the office of the clerk of probate court that had jurisdiction of the estate of the decedent at the time of his or her death, if the interest was created by will, or if the interest was created by an inter vivos instrument in the office of the clerk of the superior court for the county of which the donor or grantor was a resident at the time of the creation of the grant or trust or if the donor or grantor was not a resident of Rhode Island in the office of the clerk of the Superior Court for Providence County.

(2) In the case of real estate, in the office of the person having charge of the recording of deeds in the city or town in which the real estate is situated; and if probate proceedings have been commenced in the estate of the decedent prior to the filing, this disclaimer shall also be filed in the office of the clerk of the probate court in which these proceedings are instituted.

(b) A copy of the disclaimer shall be served by delivering in hand or by mailing by certified mail to the last known address of the person or persons or other legal entity or entities having legal title to or possession of the property, an interest in which is being disclaimed. Failure to comply with these requirements of service shall not affect the validity of the disclaimer.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-24 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-18 / Section 34-18-24
§ 34-18-24. Tenant to maintain dwelling unit.
Status: in_force

A tenant shall:

(1) Comply with all obligations primarily imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety;

(2) Keep that part of the premises that he or she occupies and uses as clean and safe as the condition of the premises permit;

(3) Dispose from his or her dwelling unit all ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste in a clean and safe manner;

(4) Keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or used by the tenant as clean as their condition permits;

(5) Use in a reasonable manner all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, in the premises;

(6) Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the premises or knowingly permit any person to do so;

(7) Conduct himself or herself, and require other persons on the premises with his or her consent to conduct themselves, in a manner that will not disturb his or her neighbors peaceful enjoyment of the premises;

(8) Refrain from using any part of the premises in a manner such as would constitute the maintaining of a narcotics nuisance under the provisions of § 21-28-4.06;

(9) Refrain from using any part of the premises or any public property adjacent thereto for the manufacture, sale, or delivery of a controlled substance or from possessing on the premises or any public property adjacent thereto with the intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a controlled substance classified in schedule I or schedule II of chapter 28 of title 21; and

(10) Refrain from any crime of violence on the premises or on any public property adjacent to said premises. A crime of violence means and includes any of the following crimes or an attempt to commit any of the following crimes; murder, manslaughter, arson, rape, sexual assault, mayhem, kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault or battery involving grave bodily injury, and a felony assault with intent to commit any offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-31 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-11 / Section 34-11-31
§ 34-11-31. Application of previous deeds to successors.
Status: in_force

All instruments executed at any time during the period specified in § 34-11-30, in which any of the statutory forms authorized by chapter 1056 have been substantially followed are hereby declared of the same force and effect as if chapter 1056 as originally enacted had contained the words his or her heirs, executors, administrators and successors wherever it contains the words his or her heirs, executors and administrators and had contained the words his or her executors, administrators, successors whenever it contains the words his or her executors, administrators and had contained the words his or her heirs, successors and assigns wherever it contains the words his or her heirs and assigns.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-5 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-11 / Section 34-11-5
§ 34-11-5. Releases and discharges effective without seal.
Status: in_force

Any instrument purporting to be a release of all claims and demands, or of any special demand, whatever be the consideration expressed therefor, and any discharge of mortgage in whole or in part, shall be construed to have that effect although no seal shall be affixed thereto.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-35 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-11 / Section 34-11-35
§ 34-11-35. Delivery of recorded instrument, when presumed.
Status: in_force

When a duly signed and acknowledged instrument recorded on or after May 8, 1969 purporting to affect the title to real estate has been on record for a period of six (6) years, and, as to instruments recorded prior to May 8, 1969, for a period of six (6) years including two (2) years after May 8, 1969, it shall be conclusive evidence, in favor of purchasers and encumbrancers for value without notice claiming thereunder, that such instrument was in fact duly delivered by the person, persons, party, or parties executing the instrument to the person, persons, party, or parties, if any, named in the instrument as the grantee(s), mortgagee(s), or other recipient(s) thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-20-10 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-20 / Section 34-20-10
§ 34-20-10. Unlawful termination of tenancy in general.
Status: in_force

When proceedings commenced under this chapter are to regain possession of the premises following the alleged termination of a tenancy, if the defendant alleges in his or her answer and if it appears by a preponderance of the evidence that any of the following situations exist, judgment shall be entered for the defendant:

(1) That the alleged termination was intended as a penalty for the defendants justified attempt to secure or enforce rights under a lease or contract, or under the laws of the state or its governmental subdivisions, or of the United States.

(2) That the alleged termination was intended as a penalty for the defendants justified complaint to a governmental authority with a report of plaintiffs violation of any health or safety code or ordinance.

(3) That the alleged termination was intended as a penalty for any other justified lawful act of the defendant.

(4) That the alleged termination was a tenancy in housing operated by a city, town, municipal housing authority, or other unit of a local government, and was terminated without cause.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-11 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-18 / Section 34-18-11
§ 34-18-11. Definitions.
Status: in_force

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent sections of this chapter which apply to specific sections thereof, and unless the context otherwise requires, in this chapter:

(1) Abandonment means the tenant has vacated the premises without notice to the landlord and has no intention of returning, as evidenced by nonpayment of rent for more than fifteen (15) days and removal of substantially all possessions from the premises;

(2) Action includes recoupment, counterclaim, set-off, suit in equity, and any other proceeding in which rights are determined, including an action for possession;

(3) Building and housing codes include any law, ordinance, or governmental regulation concerning fitness for habitation, or the construction, maintenance, operation, occupancy, use, or appearance of any premises of dwelling unit;

(4) Dwelling unit means a structure or part of a structure that is designed or intended to be used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one or more persons;

(5) Fair rental value means rent which is of comparable value with that of other rental properties of similar size and condition within the contiguous neighborhood;

(6) Good faith means honesty in fact in the conduct of the transaction concerned;

(7) Landlord means the owner, lessor, or sublessor of the dwelling unit or the building of which it is a part, and it also means a manager of the premises who fails to disclose as required by § 34-18-20;

(8) Ordinary wear and tear means deterioration of the premises which is the result of the tenants normal nonabusive living and includes, but is not limited to, deterioration caused by the landlords failure to prepare for expected conditions or by the landlords failure to comply with his or her obligations;

(9) Organization includes a corporation, government, governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership of association, two (2) or more persons having a joint or common interest, and any other legal or commercial entity;

(10) Owner shall mean any person who, alone or jointly or severally with others:

(i) Has legal title or tax title (pursuant to §§ 44-9-40  44-9-46, inclusive, of the general laws) to any dwelling, dwelling unit or structure with or without accompanying actual possession thereof; or

(ii) Has charge, care, or control of any dwelling, dwelling unit or structure as owner or agent of the owner, or an executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian of the estate of the owner. Any person representing the actual owner in this way shall be bound to comply with the provisions of this chapter and of rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto to the same extent as if he or she were the owner.

(11) Person includes an individual or organization;

(12) Premises means a dwelling unit and the structure of which it is a part and facilities and appurtenances therein and grounds, areas, and facilities held out for the use of tenants generally, or the use of which is promised to the tenant;

(13) Rent means the payment or consideration that a tenant pays to a landlord for the use of the premises, whether money, services, property, or produce of the land;

(14) Rental agreement means all agreements, written or oral, and valid rules and regulations adopted under § 34-18-25 embodying the terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of a dwelling unit and premises, and also includes any terms required by law;

(15) Roomer means a tenant occupying a dwelling unit which consists of any room or group of rooms forming a single habitable unit used or intended to be used for living and sleeping, but not for cooking or eating purposes;

(16) Security deposit means a sum of money given by a tenant to a landlord at the outset of the tenancy or shortly thereafter, as a deposit against physical damages to the tenants dwelling unit during said tenancy;

(17) Tenant means a person entitled under a rental agreement to occupy a dwelling unit to the exclusion of others;

(18) Transitional housing facility means a facility which, for a period not to exceed two (2) years, provides its residents with appropriate social services for the purpose of fostering independence, self sufficiency, and eventual transition to a permanent living arrangement;

(19) Willful means that the act was performed intentionally, knowingly and purposely, not accidentally or inadvertently and without justifiable excuse.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-40 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-18 / Section 34-18-40
§ 34-18-40. Remedies for abandonment.
Status: in_force

If the tenant abandons the dwelling unit, the landlord shall send a certified letter, return receipt requested, to the tenants last known address giving notice that unless a reply is received from the tenant within seven (7) days, the landlord shall re-rent the premises. If the notice is returned as undeliverable, or the tenant fails to contact the landlord within seven (7) days, the landlord shall make reasonable efforts to rent the premises at a fair rental. If the landlord rents the dwelling unit for a term beginning before the expiration of the rental agreement, the tenancy terminates as of the date of the new tenancy. If the landlord fails to use reasonable efforts to rent the dwelling unit at fair rental, or if the landlord accepts the abandonment as a surrender, the rental agreement is deemed to be terminated by the landlord as of the date the landlord has notice of the abandonment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-26 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-28 / Section 34-28-26
§ 34-28-26. Subordination or release of lien.
Status: in_force

Any subordination agreement or release, bearing the signature of any person with authority to sign the agreement or release, or of the person who is designated in a notice of intention under § 34-28-4 as the person whose signature will bind the person filing the notice, which purports to subordinate or release any lien under § 34-28-1, 34-28-2, 34-28-3 or 34-28-7 whether for work done or materials furnished prior to the agreement or release, or thereafter, or both, notwithstanding the fact that no consideration is given therefor, shall be enforceable according to its terms, by any other person who has changed his or her position in any way in reliance upon the subordination agreement or release, whether the other person is otherwise obligated to make the change of position or not.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-46-3 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-46 / Section 34-46-3
§ 34-46-3. Lien.
Status: in_force

(a) Lien created. A facility operator has a lien on a vessel stored at that facility for storage charges, labor, or other charges and for expenses reasonably incurred in the sale of that vessel under the provisions of this chapter.

(b) Exclusion. This chapter does not create a lien on a documented vessel subject to a preferred ship mortgage or other preferred maritime lien pursuant to 46 U.S.C. § 31301 et seq.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-27 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-11 / Section 34-11-27
§ 34-11-27. Words of inheritance not required  Fee simple presumed.
Status: in_force

In any conveyances or reservation of real estate the terms heirs, assigns, or other technical words of inheritance shall not be necessary to convey or reserve an estate in fee simple. A deed or reservation of real estate shall be construed to convey or reserve an estate in fee simple, unless a different intention appears in such deed or reservation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-23-1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-23 / Section 34-23-1
§ 34-23-1. Effect of unrecorded defeasance.
Status: in_force

When a deed purports to contain an absolute conveyance of real estate but is made defeasible by a deed, bond or other instrument, the original deed shall not be thereby affected as against any person, other than the maker of the instrument of defeasance and his or her heirs and devisees and persons having actual notice of it, unless such defeasance is recorded in the records of land evidence in the town or city in which the real estate to which it relates is situated prior to the conveyance to such other person.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-37-2.2 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-37 / Section 34-37-2.2
§ 34-37-2.2. Right to equal housing opportunities  Sexual orientation.
Status: in_force

Whenever in this chapter there shall appear the word sex there shall be inserted immediately thereafter the words sexual orientation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-38-4 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-38 / Section 34-38-4
§ 34-38-4. Department investigation.
Status: in_force

The department may, prior to issuing any license under this chapter to any person or broker, fully investigate all information placed before it under § 34-38-3 and in addition it may carry out a physical examination, investigation, or inspection of any subdivision which is the subject of the application. In addition, the department shall secure a written appraisal of the value of the properties to be offered both in their existing condition and after promised improvements, if any, from not less than one nor more than five (5) real estate appraisers who are not employees of the seller or any of its competitors, and who shall be selected by the department. All reasonable expenses incurred by the department in carrying out the examination, investigation, or inspection or securing the appraisals shall be paid by the applicant and no license shall be issued until the expenses have been fully paid.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-26-3 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-26 / Section 34-26-3
§ 34-26-3. Methods of discharge.
Status: in_force

A mortgage may be discharged in whole or in part by an entry acknowledging the satisfaction thereof or the payment thereon, as the case may be, made on the face or back of the mortgage, or upon the face or margin of the record of the mortgage, in the records of land evidence, and signed by the mortgagee or by his or her executor, administrator, successor, or, if the mortgage be assigned, by the assignee or his or her executor or administrator; and such entry shall have the same effect as a deed of release duly acknowledged and recorded.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-32 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-11 / Section 34-11-32
§ 34-11-32. Application of covenants to successors in interest.
Status: in_force

A covenant hereafter made relating to land of inheritance shall be deemed to be made with the covenantee, his or her heirs and assigns, and shall have effect as if heirs and assigns were expressed; a covenant hereafter made relating to land not of inheritance shall be deemed to be made with the covenantee, his or her executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and shall have effect as if executors, administrators, successors and assigns where expressed; provided, in either case, that no express provision be made to the contrary.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-14-5 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-14 / Section 34-14-5
§ 34-14-5. Issuance of writ of estrepement.
Status: in_force

The superior court for any county, on the application of the plaintiff, in an action for ejectment, partition, or waste, may issue a writ of estrepement, under the provisions following, directed to the division of sheriffs, requiring the deputy sheriff to stay all the waste on the estate that shall be described in the writ of estrepement.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-36-32 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-36 / Section 34-36-32
§ 34-36-32. Sale or disposition of entirety.
Status: in_force

Unless otherwise provided in the declaration or bylaws, and notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 34-36-30 and 34-36-31, the unit owners may, by an affirmative vote of at least three-fourths (Â¾) of the unit owners, at a meeting of unit owners duly called for that purpose, elect to sell or otherwise dispose of the property. The action shall be binding upon all unit owners and it shall become the duty of every unit owner to execute and deliver the instruments and to perform all acts as in manner and form may be necessary to effect the sale.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-49-4 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-49 / Section 34-49-4
§ 34-49-4. Priority.
Status: in_force

Prior recorded liens, mortgages, and other encumbrances shall have priority over a real estate brokers lien. Such prior recorded liens, mortgages, and encumbrances shall include, without limitation, a mechanics lien claim that is recorded prior to the real estate brokers notice of lien.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-38-2 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-38 / Section 34-38-2
§ 34-38-2. Exemptions.
Status: in_force

(a) Unless the method of advertisement, offering or disposition is adopted or taken for the purpose of the evasion of the provisions of this chapter or the provisions of the federal Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act, 15 U.S.C., § 1701 et seq., this chapter shall not apply to the making of any advertisement offer or disposition of any subdivision of lot, parcel, or unit or interest therein:

(1) By a purchaser of any subdivision, lot, parcel, or unit thereof for his or her own account in a single or isolated transaction;

(2) To any person who is engaged in the business of the construction of residential, commercial, or industrial buildings, other than any lot, parcel, unit, or interest in any subdivision as defined by § 34-38-1(8) for disposition;

(3) Pursuant to the order of any court in this state;

(4) By any government or government agency;

(5) To any offer or disposition of any evidence of indebtedness secured by way of any mortgage or deed of trust of real estate;

(6) To securities or units of interest issued by an investment trust regulated under the laws of this state;

(7) To cemetery lots;

(8) To the leasing of apartments, offices, stores, or the leasing of similar space within any apartment building, commercial building, or industrial building.

(b) The department may from time to time, pursuant to rules and regulations issued by it, exempt from any of the provisions of this chapter any subdivision if it finds that the enforcement of the sections with respect to the subdivision or lots, parcels, units, or interests is not necessary in the public interest and for the protection of purchasers by reason of the small amount involved or the limited character of the offering, or because the property has been registered and approved pursuant to the laws of any other state.

(c) Any subdivision which has been registered under the federal Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act, 15 U.S.C., § 1701 et seq., shall be exempt from the provisions of § 34-38-3 upon filing with the department a certified copy of an effective statement of record filed with the secretary of housing and urban development together with a filing fee of one hundred dollars ($100) in respect of each subdivision covered by the effective statement of record.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-38 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-11 / Section 34-11-38
§ 34-11-38. Rule against perpetuities reform.
Status: in_force

The common law rule against perpetuities shall no longer be deemed to be in force and/or of any effect in this state, provided, the provisions of this section shall not be construed to invalidate or modify the terms of any interest which would have been valid prior to the effective date of this act, and, provided further, that the provisions of this section shall apply to both legal and equitable interests.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-26-1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-26 / Section 34-26-1
§ 34-26-1. Complaint to redeem.
Status: in_force

Any person entitled in equity to redeem any mortgaged property, whether real or personal, may prefer a complaint to redeem the property, which complaint may be heard, tried and determined according to the usages in chancery and the principles of equity.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-15-20 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-15 / Section 34-15-20
§ 34-15-20. Partition of lands of fee holders and of life tenants, reversioners, and remaindermen.
Status: in_force

Partition may be made of any lands, tenements, or hereditaments between the person or persons who hold the fee of any share or shares thereof, and the person or persons who hold or are or may be entitled to any share or shares thereof, for life or in reversion or remainder, and whether the remainder is vested or contingent, and whether it is to persons in being and ascertained or to persons not in being or to be ascertained thereafter, or subject to be opened to let in those afterwards to come into being or having other interests whatsoever, vested or contingent, therein; provided, that all persons in being at the time of the commencement of the action for partition, interested in the estate, are made parties to the proceedings and their title or interest fully shown upon the record by the pleadings; and provided, also, that before final judgment or decree for partition or sale in any such case the court shall appoint some discreet person to represent the interest of persons, if any, not then in being, whose reasonable charges, as allowed by the court, shall be taxed in the costs and be a charge upon the share or shares of the estate in which the parties not in being shall or may be interested.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-38-3 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-38 / Section 34-38-3
§ 34-38-3. Filing requirements.
Status: in_force

Any person or broker proposing to advertise, offer, or dispose of any subdivision or lot, parcel, unit, or interest therein in this state shall first submit to the department:

(1) Such particulars and details of the subdivision or lots, parcels, units or other interest in any subdivision to be advertised, offered, or to be disposed of as the department may by regulation require, including, but not limited to, a prospectus, property report, or offering statement embodying all the terms relative to the offering and disposition;

(2) A detailed statement of intended and proposed advertising and sale methods and techniques;

(3) A completed license application in such form as the department may require; and

(4) A filing fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) in respect of each subdivision to be offered or to be disposed of.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-19-11 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-19 / Section 34-19-11
§ 34-19-11. Compensation of jurors.
Status: in_force

Every person summoned and attending as a juror shall be entitled to the same allowance per day for attendance and for travel per mile as for like attendance and travel in the superior court; to be paid in the first instance by the complainant before the verdict shall be received, and to be taxed in the bill of costs against the defendant, if the verdict be against him or her.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-10-3 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-10 / Section 34-10-3
§ 34-10-3. Removal of barbed-wire fence.
Status: in_force

Any adjoining owner who shall not have given his or her consent as provided in § 34-10-2 may complain of the fence to any fence viewer of the town where the fence is located, and may advance to the fence viewer the reasonable expense necessary to remove and store the fence. It shall then be the duty of the fence viewer to notify in writing the other adjoining owner to forthwith remove the fence. If the fence shall not be removed within fifteen (15) days after the giving of the notice, then it shall be the duty of the fence viewer to remove the fence and to store the materials removed. He or she shall deliver the fence materials removed to the owner upon demand.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-25-3 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-25 / Section 34-25-3
§ 34-25-3. Priority of attachment, execution, or lis pendens over subsequent loans.
Status: in_force

If, after the recording of the mortgage, any writ of attachment attaching the real estate mortgaged under the mortgage or any execution against the real estate or any notice of lis pendens affecting the real estate is recorded in the records of the city or town, loans on the security of the mortgage, made after the attachment, execution or lis pendens becomes so of record, shall not have priority over the attachment, execution or notice of lis pendens, except that loans which the mortgagee at or before the recording of the mortgage made or agreed with the mortgagor to make on the security of the mortgage and additional loans made on the security of the mortgage pursuant to the provisions of §§ 34-25-1  34-25-5 prior to such recording of the attachment, execution or lis pendens, together with interest thereon, and the taxes, insurance premiums and obligations of the mortgagor as the mortgagee has agreed, or which the mortgagor has given the mortgagee the right, to pay in connection with the mortgage, shall continue to have priority over the attachment, execution or lis pendens.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-36-5 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-36 / Section 34-36-5
§ 34-36-5. Units may be held in ownership as in other property.
Status: in_force

Any unit may be held and owned by more than one person as joint tenants, or as tenants in common, or in any other real property tenancy relationship recognized under the laws of the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-8-2 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-8 / Section 34-8-2
§ 34-8-2. Use of term in documents.
Status: in_force

The use of the term Rhode Island coordinate system of 1927 or Rhode Island coordinate system of 1983 on any map, report of survey, or other document, shall be limited to coordinates based on the Rhode Island coordinate system as defined in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-7-7 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-7 / Section 34-7-7
§ 34-7-7. Action by claimant in possession after notice of intent to dispute.
Status: in_force

Whenever notice is given to prevent the acquisition of lands or way, privilege or other easement, the notice shall be considered so far a disturbance of the right or claim as to enable the party claiming to bring an action for disturbing the same, in order to try the right; and if the plaintiff in the suit prevails, he or she shall recover full costs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-11 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-11 / Section 34-11-11
§ 34-11-11. Use of statutory forms.
Status: in_force

The forms set forth in § 34-11-12 may be used, and shall be sufficient for their respective purposes. They shall be known as statutory forms and may be referred to as such. They may be altered as circumstances require, and the authorization of such forms by this chapter shall not preclude the use of other forms.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-36-29 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-36 / Section 34-36-29
§ 34-36-29. Insurance.
Status: in_force

(a) The manager, management committee, or association of unit owners, if required by the declaration, bylaws, or by a majority of the unit owners, or at the request of a mortgagee having a first mortgage of record covering a unit, shall have the authority to, and shall, obtain insurance for the property against loss or damage by fire and other hazards under the terms and for amounts as shall be required or requested. Insurance coverage shall be written on the property in the name of the manager, management committee, or association of unit owners, as trustee for each of the unit owners in the percentages established in the declaration. Premiums on insurance shall be common expenses. Provision for insurance shall be without prejudice to the right of each unit owner to insure his or her own unit for his or her benefit. Provided, however, a units owners insurance policy shall become the primary insurance policy with respect to any loss covered by the associations policy but not payable under the associations policy because of the application of the deductible.

(b) In the event a unit owner sustains damage to their unit as a result of an event that is covered under the insurance coverage purchased in accordance with subsection (a), then, upon written request to the condominium association, the unit owner shall be entitled to a written copy from the condominium association of the insurance company damage appraisal, or any damage appraisal in regard to damage to the owners unit, within fourteen (14) calendar days of the date of the unit owners request, or within fourteen (14) days of the associations receipt of the damage appraisal, whichever is later. If coverage for the damage to a unit is denied for any reason, or is deemed to be valued below the policy deductible, then the unit owner shall also be entitled to receive, from the association, a copy of the letter detailing the determination.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-13-10 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-13 / Section 34-13-10
§ 34-13-10. Return of recorded documents.
Status: in_force

Any instrument presented for recording in the records of land evidence, which original is intended to be returned to the person recording or to an address previously indicated, shall be forwarded within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date the instrument was actually recorded.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-50-2 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-50 / Section 34-50-2
§ 34-50-2. Unfair service agreements.
Status: in_force

(a) A service agreement is unfair under this chapter if any part of the service subject to the agreement is not to be performed within one year after the time it is entered into and has any of the following characteristics:

(1) The service agreement purports to run with the land or to be binding on future owners of interests in the real property; or

(2) The service agreement allows for assignment of the right to provide service without notice to and consent of the owner of residential real estate; or

(3) The service agreement purports to create a lien, encumbrance, or other real property security interest.

(b) This chapter does not apply to:

(1) A home warranty or similar product that covers the cost of maintenance of a major home system (for example, plumbing, HVAC or electrical wiring) for a fixed period; or

(2) An insurance contract; or

(3) An option or right of refusal to purchase the residential real estate; or

(4) A declaration created in the formation of a common interest community or an amendment thereto; or

(5) A maintenance or repair agreement entered by a homeowners association in a common interest community; or

(6) A mortgage loan or a commitment to make or receive a mortgage loan; or

(7) A security agreement under the UCC relating to the sale or rental of personal property or fixtures; or

(8) Water, sewer, electrical, telephone, cable, or other regulated utility service providers; or

(9) A monitoring services agreement associated with any unit or development qualifying as low- or moderate-income housing governed by chapter 53 of title 45 (low and moderate income housing).

(c) This statute does not impair the rights granted by the mechanics lien statute of this state, chapter 28 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-21-7 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-21 / Section 34-21-7
§ 34-21-7. Failure of plaintiff to prosecute.
Status: in_force

Whenever any plaintiff in replevin shall neglect to enter and prosecute the suit, the defendant may, upon complaint, have judgment for a return and restoration of the goods and chattels replevied, and reasonable damages for the taking, with such reasonable costs as shall be adjudged by the court, and a writ of return and restoration thereupon accordingly.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-38-7 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-38 / Section 34-38-7
§ 34-38-7. Advertisement and sale.
Status: in_force

The department may from time to time pursuant to rules and regulations issued by it regulate and approve the methods and techniques permissible and allowable by any person or broker advertising, offering, or disposing of any subdivision or lot, parcel, unit, or interest therein in this state in order to insure that all prospective purchasers may be fully and fairly apprised of the offer or disposition in a manner that permits the purchasers a full opportunity for considered deliberation and evaluation of the offer or disposition.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-10-15 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-10 / Section 34-10-15
§ 34-10-15. Complaint of neglect to maintain fence.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever any proprietor, possessor or owner of land shall neglect or refuse to repair, build, or rebuild any partition fence or shall withdraw his or her fence from any division line, the aggrieved party may complain to any fence viewer of the town, who, after ten (10) days notice to the proprietor, possessor, or owner, shall attend and view the same; the notice, if the address of the owner is not known to the fence viewer, to be given by posting up the same in three (3) or more public places in the town where the lands lie, and if he or she shall find the complaint to be true, he or she shall in writing order the delinquent party to repair, build, or rebuild the same within such time as he or she shall therein appoint, not exceeding fifteen (15) days, and shall lodge a copy of the order in the office of the town clerk of the town in which the land is situated.

(b) Whenever any vegetation overgrows and damages a partition fence, the proprietor, possessor or owner of the land from which the vegetation originates shall be liable for the removal of all of the overgrown vegetation and the necessary repairs to the partition fence caused by the overgrown vegetation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-19-9 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-19 / Section 34-19-9
§ 34-19-9. Certiorari to supreme court.
Status: in_force

The proceeding may be removed by certiorari into the supreme court, and be quashed for irregularity, if there is any.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-17-4 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-17 / Section 34-17-4
§ 34-17-4. Removal of fixtures annexed by life tenant.
Status: in_force

Fixtures annexed to the freehold by a life tenant, or his or her assigns, may be removed during the continuance of the life estate, or within a reasonable time after its determination; and in determining what things so annexed are fixtures, the rules of the common law, which prevail as between the landlord and tenant for years, shall govern.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-9 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-18 / Section 34-18-9
§ 34-18-9. Jurisdiction.
Status: in_force

The district or appropriate housing court of this state shall exercise jurisdiction in both law and equity over any landlord or tenant with respect to any conduct in this state governed by this chapter or with respect to any claim arising from a transaction subject to this chapter. In addition to any other method provided by rule or by statute, personal jurisdiction over a landlord or tenant may be acquired in a civil action or proceeding commenced in the court by the service of process in the manner provided by § 34-18-10(c).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-5-5 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-5 / Section 34-5-5
§ 34-5-5. Time for filing disclaimer.
Status: in_force

(a) A disclaimer shall be executed and filed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter at any time after the creation of the interest in property being disclaimed, but in any event:

(1) If a present interest, not later than nine (9) months:

(i) After the death of the deceased owner in the case of a testamentary disposition, or

(ii) After the effective date of the instrument creating the interest in the case of a nontestamentary disposition, or

(2) If a future interest, not later than nine (9) months after the event determining that the taker of the interest is in possession of it, or

(3) In the case of a beneficiary who is a surviving joint tenant or tenant by the entirety, not later than nine (9) months after the death of the other joint tenant, tenants, or tenant by the entirety, or

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, in the case of a beneficiary under the age of twenty-one (21) at the creation of the interest, not later than nine (9) months after his or her attainment of that age; provided, that any court having jurisdiction of the property, an interest in which is being disclaimed, may, upon petition filed by the beneficiary, the duly appointed guardian or conservator of a beneficiary, or the legal representative of a deceased beneficiarys estate, permit an extension of time to execute and file a disclaimer, for any further period of time as the court in its discretion deems advisable.

(b) The effective date of a revocable instrument is the date on which the grantor no longer has the power to revoke it or to transfer to himself or herself or another the entire legal and equitable ownership of the interest.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-5-1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-5 / Section 34-5-1
§ 34-5-1. Definitions.
Status: in_force

The following words as used in this chapter shall have these meanings:

(1) Beneficiary means any person to whom, and any estate, trust, corporation, or other legal entity to which, an interest in property would pass in any manner described in § 34-5-2, except for the execution and filing of a disclaimer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

(2) An interest in property which may be disclaimed shall include:

(i) Any legal or equitable interest or estate, whether present, future, or contingent, in any real or personal property, or in any fractional part, share, or portion thereof, or in any dollar amount thereof, or in any specific asset or assets thereof;

(ii) Any fractional part, share or portion of any interest described in subdivision (i), or remainder or life estate or other lesser estate therein.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-15-21 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-15 / Section 34-15-21
§ 34-15-21. Title vested by sale  Investment for benefit of reversioner or remainderman.
Status: in_force

In the event of partition, by sale and division of the proceeds in any partition case under this chapter, the sale shall vest in the purchaser an absolute estate in fee simple in the lands, tenements, or hereditaments so sold, and the share or shares of the proceeds representing the share or shares of the estate subject to reversion or remainder after deducting and paying therefrom their proportional parts of the costs and expenses of partition, as determined by the court, shall be invested, under the order of the court, for the benefit of the person interested, or who may become interested in the proceeds, in the same manner as is provided in case of unknown parties in § 34-15-18.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-12 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-28 / Section 34-28-12
§ 34-28-12. Recording of lis pendens.
Status: in_force

Every town clerk and every recorder of deeds, as the case may be, on payment of a fee as provided in § 34-13-7 for each notice of lis pendens, shall record the notices of lis pendens provided for in §§ 34-28-10 and 34-28-11, whether in the form therein provided or not, in the book provided for in § 9-4-9, and shall maintain as part of the index of the book an alphabetical index of the owners or lessees or tenants mentioned in all notices or lis pendens so recorded.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-38-9 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-38 / Section 34-38-9
§ 34-38-9. Appointment of agent and service of process.
Status: in_force

No seller or developer of out of state land included under the definition in § 34-38-1 shall directly or indirectly transact any business in this state until it shall have appointed in writing the director of business regulation of this state to be its true and lawful attorney for the service of process upon it in any action arising out of its activities under this chapter or proceeding against it may be served with the same legal force and validity as if served on it, which authority shall continue in force as long as any liability remains outstanding against it in this state. Whenever lawful process against a seller or developer included under the provisions of this chapter shall be served upon the director of business regulation, he or she shall forward a copy of the process served upon him or her, by mail, postpaid, and directed to the home office of the seller or developer; for each copy of the process the director of business regulation shall collect the sum of five dollars ($5.00), which shall be paid by the plaintiff at the time of the service, which sum is to be recovered by the plaintiff as part of the taxable costs if he or she prevails in the suit.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-15-22 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-15 / Section 34-15-22
§ 34-15-22. Apportionment of costs.
Status: in_force

In an action for partition, the court before which the action may be pending may adjudge and determine, as to it shall appear equitable and just, relative to the apportionment of costs among the parties, plaintiff and defendant, by dividing the costs equally or subjecting either party to the payment of the whole or any part thereof.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-40-2 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-40 / Section 34-40-2
§ 34-40-2. Creation of solar easements.
Status: in_force

(a) Any property owner may grant a solar easement in the same manner and with the same effect as a conveyance of an interest in real property. The solar easements shall be created in writing and shall be subject to the same conveyancing and instrument recording requirements as any other instrument affecting the title of real property. The solar easements shall run with the land or lands benefited and burdened and shall constitute a perpetual easement, absent any terms and/or conditions under which the solar easement is granted or may be terminated.

(b) Any instrument creating a solar easement shall include but not be limited to:

(1) A description of the real property subject to the solar easement and a description of the real property benefiting from the solar easement;

(2) A description of the vertical and horizontal angles, expressed in degrees and measured from the site of the solar energy system, at which the solar easement extends over the real property subject to the solar easement, or any other description which defines the three-dimensional space, or the place in which and times of day during which an obstruction to direct sunlight is prohibited or limited;

(3) Any terms and/or conditions under which the solar easement is granted or may be terminated;

(4) Any provisions for compensation of the owner of the property benefiting from the solar easement in the event of interference with the enjoyment of the provisions of the solar easement, or any provisions for compensation of the owner of the property subject to the solar easement for maintaining the easement.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-36-39 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-36 / Section 34-36-39
§ 34-36-39. Chapter continuity.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not apply to new declarations of condominiums filed after July 1, 1982; nor shall this chapter apply to condominiums declared before July 1, 1982 where construction has not been commenced, but said condominiums shall be governed by chapter 36.1 of this title. Provided however certain activities of condominiums created under this chapter may be subject to chapter 36.1 of this title as defined in § 34-36.1-1.02. Public offering statements and sales contracts shall clearly disclose that such offering or sale is not covered by the Rhode Island Condominium Act, chapter 36.1 of this title; pursuant thereto any public offering statement and any sales contract shall contain the following language in bold-faced type: This condominium is not covered by the Rhode Island Condominium Act of 1982.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-4 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-18 / Section 34-18-4
§ 34-18-4. Construction against implicit repeal.
Status: repealed

This chapter being a general act intended as a unified coverage of its subject matter, no part of it is to be construed as impliedly repealed by subsequent legislation if that construction can reasonably be avoided. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of chapters 18.1, 19, or 20 of this title, the provisions of this chapter shall control.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-15-29 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-15 / Section 34-15-29
§ 34-15-29. Subdivision and platting of lands.
Status: in_force

(a) In all actions for partition, whenever the circumstances in the opinion of the court require that the land to be divided should be platted into lots and certain portions of land laid out for streets or gangways for the convenience of the lots, the decree may authorize the commissioners to take that course subject to the approval of the court on the return of their report.

(b) The action described in subsection (a) shall not be taken unless all the parties to the proceedings consent; provided that:

(1) If any party is an infant or person non compos mentis, the consent of the guardian ad litem of such infant or non compos shall be sufficient;

(2) If any party is a trustee, the consent of that trustee shall be sufficient to bind the trust estate; and

(3) Any party in interest, being a married woman, shall have the right to consent as if sole and unmarried.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-4.1 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-28 / Section 34-28-4.1
§ 34-28-4.1. Contractors.
Status: in_force

No person contracting directly with either the owner of the land, lessee, or tenant of the land, or owner of less than the fee simple, other than material suppliers, as those terms are referred to in §§ 34-28-1, 34-28-2, 34-28-3, shall be entitled to claim a lien under this chapter unless that person shall have provided the following notice to the owner, lessee, or tenant, or owner of less than the fee simple, either incorporated conspicuously in a written contract or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, any time prior to commencing work or delivery of materials for construction, erection, alteration or repair as set forth in this chapter. The failure of such person contracting directly to give such notice shall not affect the right of any other person performing work or furnishing materials of claiming a lien pursuant to this chapter, provided that the procedures set forth in this chapter are followed. However, such person failing to file such notice shall indemnify and hold harmless any owner, lessee or tenant, or owner of less than the fee simple from any payment or costs incurred on account of any liens claims by those not in privity with them, unless such owner, lessee or tenant, or owner of less than the fee simple shall not have paid such person.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-28-10 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-28 / Section 34-28-10
§ 34-28-10. Complaint to enforce lien  Lis pendens notice.
Status: in_force

(a) Any and all liens under the provisions of § 34-28-1, 34-28-2, 34-28-3, or 34-28-7 regardless of the mailing and filing of a notice of intention under § 34-28-4 or any exemption therefrom, shall be void and wholly lost to any person claiming a lien under those sections, unless the person shall file a complaint to enforce the lien, described in § 34-28-13, in the superior court for the county in which is situated the land upon which the building, canal, turnpike, railroad, or other improvement is being or has been constructed, erected, altered, or repaired, and unless such person shall also file in the records of land evidence in the city or town in which such land is located a notice of lis pendens, described in § 34-28-11, the complaint to be filed on the same day as the notice of lis pendens, or within seven (7) days thereafter, and both the complaint and the notice of lis pendens to be filed within forty (40) days of the date of the recording of the notice of intention provided in § 34-28-4 and § 34-28-7. The lien of any person under § 34-28-1, 34-28-2, 34-28-3 or 34-28-7 who fails to file a complaint and notice of lis pendens under this section within the required forty (40) day period, shall be void and wholly lost as to work done or materials furnished prior to the two hundred (200) day period, regardless of the fact that the person may thereafter do other work or furnish other materials in the course of the same construction, erection, alteration, or reparation.

(b) The power of sale contained in a mortgage on any real property subject to a lien created by this chapter shall not be effected by the filing of a notice of lien as provided in § 34-28-4 and § 34-28-7, provided, however, the power of sale shall be suspended by the filing of a complaint to enforce as provided in this section and the power of sale shall only be exercised thereafter in accordance with the provisions of § 34-28-16.1.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-4-23 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-4 / Section 34-4-23
§ 34-4-23. Expiration of recorded instruments affecting real estate.
Status: in_force

Any recorded contract or other instrument, other than housing restrictions as set forth in § 34-39.1-3, and conservation restrictions and preservation restrictions as set forth in §§ 34-39-3 and 34-39-4, which has created or shall create a right or obligation (other than an option) to purchase or sell real estate shall cease to be notice to any person or to put any person on inquiry with respect thereto unless, within ninety (90) days after the date therein provided for the delivery of the deed, or if no date is therein provided, then within ninety (90) days after the date therein provided for the payment of the final payment or instalment of the purchase price, or if no delivery date or payment date is therein provided, then within ninety (90) days after the date of the recording of the contract or other instrument, an action or proceeding shall have been commenced to enforce the contract or other instrument and a notice of the pendency of the action, containing a reference to the contract or other instrument and the book and page of the recording thereof and a description of the real estate sufficient to identify it, shall have been duly recorded. The ninety (90) day period provided for in this section shall not be extended by any disability, absence from the state, acknowledgement, or new promise not of record, payment after maturity, or for any other cause with the exception that the ninety (90) day period may be extended by agreement of all the parties to the contract or other instrument at the time of the execution of the contract or other instrument.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-36-12 — RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-36 / Section 34-36-12
§ 34-36-12. Recording of instruments affecting property  Separate index.
Status: in_force

(a) The declaration, any amendment, any instrument by which the provisions of this chapter may be waived, and every instrument affecting the property or any unit shall be entitled to be recorded. Neither the declaration nor any amendment thereof shall be valid unless recorded.

(b) In addition to the records and indexes required to be maintained by the recorder, the recorder may maintain an index whereby the record of each condominium project contains a reference to the declaration, each conveyance of, lien against, and all other instruments referring to a unit affected by the declaration, and the record of each conveyance of, lien against, and all other instruments referring to a unit shall contain a reference to the declaration of the property of which the unit is a part.