R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18.2 § 34-18.2-4
Termination of lease
Operative Text
(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. (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.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18.2-4 governs how a landowner must end a tenancy with a homeowner on leased land — a situation common in manufactured-home or land-lease communities. When the termination is not for cause (such as discontinuing use of the land as leased land), the landowner must give at least fifteen months' advance notice. After any termination, the landowner must take reasonable steps to secure and sell any dwelling left on the land after at least ninety days of advertising, distributing the sale proceeds in a specific priority order — covering liens, costs, and rent arrears before remitting any remaining balance to the homeowner.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-18.2-4, operators of land-lease communities who plan to discontinue the use of leased land generally provide affected homeowners with a minimum of fifteen months' written notice before the tenancy ends. Following any termination — whether for cause or not — compliant landowners take reasonable steps to secure any dwelling that remains on the property and advertise it for sale for at least ninety days under commercially reasonable terms. Proceeds are then distributed in the statutory priority order: federal, state, and local liens first; then the landowner's reasonable costs; then rent arrears; then any mortgage or other liens; with any remaining balance remitted to the homeowner.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-18.2-4 of Rhode Island law gives homeowners on leased land significant protections when a tenancy is being terminated, including a right to at least fifteen months' notice when the termination is not for cause. Importantly, during the ninety-day advertising period that precedes any landowner-initiated sale of the dwelling, a homeowner may stop that process by paying off any rent arrears or other amounts owed and arranging to have the dwelling removed from the land. Homeowners who believe these notice or sale procedures have not been followed may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Rhode Island manufactured-housing law to understand available options.
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.
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