R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 31-44.2 § 31-44.2-9
Auction of abandoned mobile or manufactured home
Operative Text
(a) If an order for removal of an abandoned mobile or manufactured home has been issued in accordance with § 31-44.2-5, the mobile or manufactured home may be sold at public auction. The purchaser of the mobile or manufactured home shall take title of the home free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership, shall receive a sales receipt and bill of sale, and shall be entitled to register the mobile or manufactured home. (b) From the proceeds of the sale of abandoned mobile or manufactured home, the plaintiff shall reimburse itself the expenses of the auction, the costs of towing, preserving, and storing the mobile or manufactured home and all notices and publication costs incurred pursuant to this chapter. Any remainder from the proceeds of a sale shall be held for the owner of the mobile or manufactured home or entitled lienholder for ninety (90) days and then shall be deposited in a special abandoned mobile or manufactured home fund at the department of business regulation that shall remain available for the payment of auction, towing, preserving, storage, and all notice and publication costs that result from other abandoned mobile and manufactured homes, whenever the proceeds from a sale of the other abandoned mobile or manufactured homes are insufficient to meet these expenses and costs. (c) Whenever the director finds that moneys in the abandoned mobile or manufactured home fund are in excess of reserves likely to be needed, he or she may transfer the excess to the general fund. But in the event there are additional claims against the abandoned mobile or manufactured home fund, or if the abandoned mobile or manufactured home fund is temporarily exhausted, these claims shall be met from the general fund to the limit of any transfers previously made to it pursuant to this chapter.
Under Rhode Island law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-44.2-9, once a court order for removal of an abandoned mobile or manufactured home has been issued, the home may be sold at public auction. The buyer receives a clean title, a bill of sale, and the right to register the home. Sale proceeds first cover the costs of the auction, towing, storage, and required notices; any remaining funds are held for the former owner or lienholder for 90 days before being deposited into a state-administered abandoned mobile home fund managed by the Department of Business Regulation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Mobile home park operators dealing with an abandoned home should understand that § 31-44.2-9 establishes a structured process that follows a valid removal order under § 31-44.2-5. Compliant operators typically document all towing, storage, and notice costs carefully, since those expenses are the first to be reimbursed from auction proceeds. Keeping thorough records of every cost incurred under this chapter supports a straightforward reimbursement claim from the sale proceeds.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
If you are a mobile or manufactured home owner whose home has been declared abandoned and sold under § 31-44.2-9, the law provides that any surplus proceeds beyond the costs of auction, towing, storage, and notices must be held for you or an entitled lienholder for 90 days before being transferred to the state fund. Tenants or former owners who believe a home was wrongly classified as abandoned, or who have a claim to surplus proceeds, may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or housing attorney familiar with Rhode Island law. The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation administers the abandoned mobile home fund and may be a starting point for inquiries about remaining proceeds.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation