(a)  A landowner desiring to terminate a tenancy with a homeowner based on the discontinuation of the use of the leased land as leased land (and not for cause) shall provide the affected homeowner(s) with at least fifteen (15) months’ notice thereof.

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Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 34-18.2-4

  • Homeowner: shall mean and include any person, corporation, partnership or association owning a residential dwelling which is located on leased land. See Rhode Island General Laws 34-18.2-2
  • Leased land: shall mean and include any land owned by any person, corporation, partnership or association upon which there is situated a leased residential dwelling owned by any person, corporation, partnership or association other than the owner of the land. See Rhode Island General Laws 34-18.2-2
  • Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
  • Residential dwelling: shall mean and include any structure located on leased land and used primarily for residential purposes. See Rhode Island General Laws 34-18.2-2

(b)  In the event of a termination of a tenancy (or a failure to renew a tenancy) with a homeowner without cause as provided in subsection (a) of this section, or in the event of a termination (or a failure to renew a tenancy) for cause, the landowner shall take reasonable steps to take control of any residential dwelling remaining on the leased land following said termination, and shall, upon at least ninety (90) days of said advertising sell the dwelling pursuant to commercially reasonable terms. The proceeds of such sale shall be applied as follows:

(1)  First, to satisfy any federal, state or local liens on the dwelling;

(2)  Second, to cover the fair and reasonable costs incurred by the landowner to secure the dwelling and accomplish its sale;

(3)  Third, to satisfy any arrearages for unpaid rent or other costs remaining due under the tenancy;

(4)  Fourth, to satisfy any mortgage or other liens on the property; then

(5)  The balance shall be remitted to the homeowner.

(c)  During the aforesaid ninety (90) day notice period, the homeowner may avert the advertising and sale of the dwelling by the landowner as aforesaid, by satisfying any arrearages for unpaid rent or other costs remaining due under the tenancy, and causing the dwelling to be removed from the formerly leased land, by sale or otherwise.

History of Section.
P.L. 2014, ch. 254, § 2; P.L. 2014, ch. 281, § 2.