reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 44-9-25 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-25 - Petition for foreclosure of redemption.

§ 44-9-25. Petition for foreclosure of redemption.(a) After one year from a sale of land for taxes, except as provided in §§ 44-9-19 — 44-9-22, whoever then holds the acquired title may bring a petition in the superior court for the foreclosure of all rights of redemption under the title. The petition shall set forth a description of the land to which it applies, with its assessed valuation, the petitioner's source of title, giving a reference to the place, book, and page of record, and other facts as may be necessary for the information of the court. Two (2) or more parcels of land may be included in any petition brought by any purchaser of a title or titles, if the parcels are in the same record ownership at the time of bringing the petition (Form 5).(b) No more than one foreclosure petition may be filed for each tax deed regardless of the number of tax title holders having an interest under such deed. If more than one petition is filed, the petitions shall be consolidated for hearing by the court. The court shall not award more than one attorneys' fee to the petitioners.(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, no petition for foreclosure of redemption shall be filed or entertained by any court with respect to any property or title acquired by the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Corporation pursuant to § 44-9-8.3 of the general laws until after five (5) years from the sale of said property or title for taxes.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 43; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-25; P.L. 2003, ch. 262, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 534, § 3; P.L. 2006, ch. 537, § 3.
RI Gen L § 44-9-25.3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-25.3 - Expedited foreclosure of the rights of redemption on account of vacancy.

§ 44-9-25.3. Expedited foreclosure of the rights of redemption on account of vacancy.(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 44-9-25 and 44-9-25.1 following a sale of property for taxes or fees, whomever then holds the title thereby acquired may bring a petition to the superior court for the foreclosure of all rights of redemption after the passage of sixty (60) days from the date of recording of the tax sale deed upon a finding by the superior court that the structure(s) thereon are vacant and either vandalized and/or in a non-code compliant condition. A certificate from the local building official attesting to the vacant and vandalized and/or non-code compliant condition of the structure(s) shall be prima facie evidence of the condition, but additional evidence may be presented to the court to affirm the conditions alleged in the petition. A municipality, by and through its building official, may choose to issue a certificate as referenced in this section, however, neither a municipality nor its building official are obligated under this section to issue said certificate. The issuance of said certificate is discretionary and not mandatory.(b) In the event that a petition to foreclose the right of redemption is filed under the provisions of this section, notice of the filing of the petition shall be given to the taxing authority that conducted the sale by in person service, upon the taxing authority's collector, thereby ending the period during which the taxpayer may redeem through the taxing authority.(c) A petitioner who has utilized this expedited foreclosure process shall commence, or cause to be commenced, substantial rehabilitation of the structure(s) on the parcel within six (6) months following the entry of the final foreclosure decree or be immediately subject to the non-utilization penalty set forth in chapter 5.1 of title 44.History of Section.P.L. 2018, ch. 351, § 2.
RI Gen L § 44-9-26 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-26 - Deposit by petitioner to cover costs.

§ 44-9-26. Deposit by petitioner to cover costs.The petitioner, at the time of filing his or her petition, shall deposit with the clerk of the superior court a sum sufficient to cover the costs of the proceedings as estimated by the court.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 49; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-26.
RI Gen L § 44-9-27 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-27 - Examination of title - Notice to interested parties of foreclosure petition.

§ 44-9-27. Examination of title — Notice to interested parties of foreclosure petition.(a) Upon the filing of a petition, the petitioner shall, at his or her own cost, select, with the approval of the court, a title company or an attorney familiar with the examination of land titles. This company or attorney shall make an examination of the title sufficient only to determine the persons who may be interested in the title, and the petitioner shall, upon the filing of the examiner's report, notify all persons appearing to be interested, whether as equity owners, mortgagees, lienors, attaching creditors, or otherwise, as well as the tax collector in the municipality where the subject property is located, of the pendency of the petition, the notice to be sent to each by registered or certified mail and return of receipt required. In the event that any item mailed by certified mail is returned unopened, the petitioner shall send that notice to the addressee at the same address by first class regular mail, postage prepaid, and also, if the subject property is residential, petition the court for leave to serve the addressee by tacking said notice to the front door of the subject property. Other and further notice by publication or otherwise shall be given as the court may at any time order.(b) The notice, to be addressed "To all whom it may concern," shall contain the name of the petitioner, the names of all known respondents, a description of the land, and a statement of the nature of the petition, shall fix the time when appearance may be entered, and shall contain a statement that, unless the notified party shall appear within the fixed time, a default will be recorded, the petition taken as confessed, and the right of redemption forever barred (Form 6).History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 44; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1956, ch. 3717, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-27; P.L. 2002, ch. 140, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 534, § 3; P.L. 2006, ch. 537, § 3.
RI Gen L § 44-9-28 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-28 - Order as to parties in default.

§ 44-9-28. Order as to parties in default.After the fixed return day, to be at least twenty (20) days after the time of the actual issuance of notice, the court, if satisfied that the notice has been properly given, on motion of the petitioner shall enter an order defaulting all persons failing to file a timely answer, and decreeing that the petition as to them be taken as confessed (Form 8).History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 45; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-28; P.L. 2018, ch. 351, § 1.
RI Gen L § 44-9-29 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-29 - Redemption by party to foreclosure proceedings.

§ 44-9-29. Redemption by party to foreclosure proceedings.Any person claiming an interest, on or before the return day or within that further time as may on motion be allowed by the court, providing the motion is made prior to the fixed return day, shall, if he or she desires to redeem, file an answer setting forth his or her right in the land, and an offer to redeem upon the terms as may be fixed by the court. Where an answer has been timely filed, the court shall hear the parties, and may in its discretion make a finding allowing the party to redeem, within a time fixed by the court, upon payment to the petitioner of an amount sufficient to cover the original sum, costs, penalties, and all subsequent taxes, costs, and interest to which the petitioner may be entitled, together with the costs of the proceeding and counsel fee as the court deems reasonable. The court may impose other terms as justice and the circumstances warrant.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 46; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-29; P.L. 2018, ch. 351, § 1.
RI Gen L § 44-9-30 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-30 - Decree barring redemption.

§ 44-9-30. Decree barring redemption.If a default is entered under § 44-9-28, or if redemption is not made within the time and upon the terms fixed by the court under § 44-9-29, or if at the time fixed for the hearing the person claiming the right to redeem does not appear to urge his or her claim, after having filed a timely answer, or if upon hearing the court determines that the facts shown do not entitle the person to redeem, a decree shall be entered which shall forever bar all rights of redemption.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 47; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; P.L. 1953, ch. 3192, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-30; P.L. 2018, ch. 351, § 1.
RI Gen L § 44-9-31 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-31 - Contest of validity of tax title.

§ 44-9-31. Contest of validity of tax title.If a person claiming an interest desires to raise any question concerning the validity of a tax title, the person shall do so by answer filed in the proceeding on or before the return day, or within that further time as may on motion be allowed by the court, providing the motion is made prior to the fixed return date, or else be forever barred from contesting or raising the question in any other proceeding. He or she shall also file specifications setting forth the matters upon which he or she relies to defeat the title; and unless the specifications are filed, all questions of the validity or invalidity of the title, whether in the form of the deed or proceedings relating to the sale, shall be deemed to have been waived. Upon the filing of the specifications, the court shall hear the parties and shall enter a decree in conformity with the law on the facts found.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 48; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-31; P.L. 2018, ch. 351, § 1.
RI Gen L § 44-9-32 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-32 - Recording of notices of foreclosure petition and final disposition.

§ 44-9-32. Recording of notices of foreclosure petition and final disposition.Notice of filing the petition for foreclosure and notice of the final disposition shall be recorded in the proper registry of deeds (Forms 7 and 10).History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 50; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-32.
RI Gen L § 44-9-33 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-33 - Practice following course of equity.

§ 44-9-33. Practice following course of equity.Practice and procedure under chapters 7 — 9 of this title, not provided for in this title, shall follow the course of equity so far as equity is applicable.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 51; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-33.
RI Gen L § 44-9-34 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-34 - Holding and disposition of land foreclosed by city or town.

§ 44-9-34. Holding and disposition of land foreclosed by city or town.After foreclosure by a city or a town of the rights of redemption under a tax title, the land shall be held and disposed of like any land belonging to it and held for municipal purposes, and shall not while held be assessed for taxes. The land may be disposed of without the necessity of giving the notice provided for by § 45-3-12.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 52; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-34.
RI Gen L § 44-9-35 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-35 - Errors and irregularities in proceedings.

§ 44-9-35. Errors and irregularities in proceedings.No tax title shall be held to be invalid by reason of any error or irregularity which is neither substantial nor misleading, whether the error or irregularity occurs in the proceedings of the collector or the assessors or in the proceedings of any other official or officials charged with duties in connection with the establishment of the tax title, or in the proceedings to foreclose the rights of redemption as set forth in §§ 44-9-25 — 44-9-33. Failure of notice under §§ 44-9-9, 44-9-10 and 44-9-11 may only be raised by a party who was not sent notice and, if failure of notice is proved, the collector's sale shall be invalid only as to that party and no other.History of Section.G.L. 1923, ch. 62, § 49; G.L. 1937, ch. 2533, § 1; G.L. 1938, ch. 32, §§ 50, 53; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-35; P.L. 2003, ch. 262, § 1.
RI Gen L § 44-9-36 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-36 - Sale by city or town treasurer without foreclosure.

§ 44-9-36. Sale by city or town treasurer without foreclosure.After one year from the purchase by a city or town of any parcels of land for nonpayment of taxes, if the treasurer is of the opinion that the parcels are of insufficient value to meet the taxes, interest, and charges and all subsequent taxes and assessments, together with the expenses of a foreclosure under § 44-9-25, and that the facts essential to the validity of the tax title on the lands have been adequately established, he or she may sell all the parcels, severally or together, at public auction to the highest bidder, first giving notice of the time and place of sale by publication in some public newspaper at least once a week for three (3) successive weeks before the sale, the first publication of which shall be at least twenty-one (21) days before the day of sale, including the day of the first publication in the computation. The treasurer at the auction may reject any bid which he or she deems inadequate. The treasurer shall execute and deliver to the highest bidder, whose bid has not been rejected as inadequate, a deed without covenant, except that the sale has in all particulars been conducted according to law. The deed shall not be valid unless recorded within sixty (60) days after the sale. Title taken pursuant to a sale under this section shall be absolute upon the recording of the deed of the treasurer in the proper registry of deeds within sixty (60) days (Forms 11 to 13).History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 54; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-36; P.L. 1965, ch. 178, § 1.
RI Gen L § 44-9-37 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-37 - Surplus proceeds from sale without foreclosure.

§ 44-9-37. Surplus proceeds from sale without foreclosure.If the amount received from the sale is more than the taxes, interest and charges, and subsequent taxes and assessments, on all land included in the sale, together with the expenses of the sale, the balance shall be deposited with the city or town treasurer to be paid to the person entitled to it if demanded within five (5) years, otherwise it shall enure to the city or town. If the surplus results from the sale of several parcels for a lump sum, it shall be held for the several owners in proportion to the prices at which the several parcels were originally assessed by the city or town.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 54, P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-37.
RI Gen L § 44-9-38 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-38 - Purchase by city or town at sale without foreclosure.

§ 44-9-38. Purchase by city or town at sale without foreclosure.If no person bids at a sale, or if no bid deemed adequate by the treasurer is made at a sale, the treasurer shall then and there make public declaration of the fact, and if no bid or no bid deemed adequate is then made, the treasurer shall give public notice that the treasurer purchases the land for the city or town by which the tax is assessed; or if the person to whom the land is sold does not within ten (10) days pay to the treasurer the sum bid by him or her, the sale shall be void and the city or town shall be deemed to be the purchaser of the land. If the city or town becomes the purchaser, the treasurer shall execute to it a deed, which shall set forth the fact that no bid or no bid deemed adequate was made at the sale, or that the purchaser failed to pay the amount bid, as the case may be. The deed shall not be valid unless recorded within sixty (60) days after the sale under this section, and the title of the city or town to land conveyed shall be absolute upon the recording of the deed in the proper registry of deeds within sixty (60) days (Form 14).History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 55; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-38.
RI Gen L § 44-9-39 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-39 - Bar of persons notified of sale without foreclosure.

§ 44-9-39. Bar of persons notified of sale without foreclosure.Any person having a right of redemption or any other interest in the land conveyed or purporting to be conveyed under § 44-9-36 or 44-9-38, upon whom service of the notice of sale provided in § 44-9-36 has been made by registered or certified mail, who, prior to the sale, neither redeems the land nor brings proceedings to enjoin the sale, shall, upon the recording of the deed as required by § 44-9-36 or 44-9-38, be forever barred from raising any question concerning the validity of the title conveyed, and a statement contained in the treasurer's deed that service has been made, naming the persons who were served by registered or certified mail, shall be prima facie evidence of service (Form 12).History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 56; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; impl. am. P.L. 1956, ch. 3717, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-39.
RI Gen L § 44-9-40 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-40 - Petition to establish title based on sale without foreclosure.

§ 44-9-40. Petition to establish title based on sale without foreclosure.The holder of a title acquired under § 44-9-36 or 44-9-38 may file in the superior court a petition to establish his or her title by requiring all persons who would have an interest in the land involved, except for either the petitioner's title or his or her claim of title originating under § 44-9-36 or 44-9-38, to show cause why they should not bring an action to try any claim or claims which they may have adverse to the petitioner's title arising out of the tax proceedings upon which the title was based. The petition shall set forth on oath the petitioner's source of title, giving a reference to the place, book, and page of record of the deed under § 44-9-36 or 44-9-38 upon which the petitioner relies, the description of the land involved which appeared in the tax deed upon which the deed under § 44-9-36 or 44-9-38 was based, the names of all persons known to the petitioner, and other facts as may be necessary for the information of the court; but the petitioner need not allege in the petition nor show during the hearing any error or irregularity in the tax proceedings upon which the title depends or any other defect in the title. The petition shall be in the alternative praying that the persons be ordered to show cause why they should not bring action to try the claim or claims or, if the persons do not appear within the time fixed or, having appeared, disobey the lawful order of the court to try their claim or claims, that the court enter a decree that they be forever barred from having or enforcing any claim or claims adversely to the petitioner, his or her heirs or assigns, in the land described (Form 15).History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 57; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; P.L. 1953, ch. 3192, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-40.
RI Gen L § 44-9-41 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-41 - Notice of petition to establish title.

§ 44-9-41. Notice of petition to establish title.Upon the filing of the petition, the petitioner shall notify all interested persons of the pendency of the petition, the notice to be sent to each interested person by registered or certified mail and the return of receipt to be required. Other and further notice by publication or otherwise shall be given as the court may at any time order. The notice, to be addressed "To all whom it may concern," shall contain the name of the petitioner, the names of all respondents named in the petition, the description of the land, and a statement of the nature of the petition, shall fix the time when appearance may be entered, and shall contain a statement that unless the notified persons shall appear within the fixed time, they shall forever be barred from having or enforcing any adverse claim or claims to the petitioner, his or her heirs or assigns, in the described land.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 57; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; P.L. 1953, ch. 3192, § 2; impl. am. P.L. 1956, ch. 3717, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-41.
RI Gen L § 44-9-42 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 44 - Taxation|Chapter 44-9 - Tax Sales|Section 44-9-42 - Decree on petition to establish title.

§ 44-9-42. Decree on petition to establish title.The notified persons shall by answer show why they should not be required to bring an action to try their claim or claims, and the court shall enter an appropriate decree relative to bringing and prosecuting the action. If the notified persons do not appear within the fixed time or, having appeared, disobey the lawful order of the court to try their claim or claims, the court shall enter a decree that they are forever barred from having or enforcing any adverse claim or claims to the petitioner, his or her heirs or assigns, in the described land.History of Section.G.L. 1938, ch. 32, § 57; P.L. 1946, ch. 1800, § 1; P.L. 1953, ch. 3192, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 44-9-42.