R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 § 34-18-48
Execution
Operative Text
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.
Under Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, § 34-18-48 governs what happens after a court enters a judgment in an eviction case and no appeal is filed. If the judgment remains unsatisfied, a formal execution order may be issued on the sixth day after judgment, directing the division of sheriffs or a certified constable to carry it out. The execution remains valid for one year from its issuance and must ultimately be returned to the district court that issued it. Reasonable moving costs and other expenses incurred by the sheriff or constable in carrying out the execution can be added to the total amount owed, subject to court approval.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Rhode Island law should be aware that § 34-18-48 sets a specific timeline: if a tenant does not appeal and does not satisfy a judgment, an execution order can be issued as early as the sixth day after judgment. Compliant operators typically work with the division of sheriffs or a certified constable—the only authorized parties to carry out the execution—rather than attempting to enforce the judgment themselves. Costs such as reasonable moving expenses incurred by those officials can be recovered by presenting evidence of those costs to the clerk for court approval, so keeping documentation of any such expenses is a common practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 34-18-48, tenants should know that if a court judgment goes unsatisfied and no appeal is filed, an execution order directing a sheriff or certified constable to act can be issued starting on the sixth day after judgment. Tenants who believe an appeal is warranted generally have options to explore before that window closes, and tenant-rights organizations in Rhode Island can help explain what those options may look like. If costs such as moving expenses are later added to the execution, tenants have the right to understand what was approved by the court, and raising questions about those costs through the district court that issued the execution is one avenue available under this provision.
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
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