Rhode Island HOA & Condo Laws

Assessment Collection Compare across states →

How HOAs and condominium associations charge, collect, and enforce regular and special assessments. Covers dues billing, delinquency notices, late fees, lien filing, judicial and non-judicial foreclosure, statute of limitations, and …

R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.16

Rhode Island Condominium Act — Lien for Assessments

Creates an assessment lien with 6-month super-priority over first mortgages. Attorney fee cap of $2,500; foreclosure cost cap of $5,000; aggregate cap of $7,500. When …

Meetings and Notice Compare across states →

Board and owner meeting requirements — open meeting mandates, advance notice periods, agenda requirements, minimum owner comment periods, executive session limits, remote participation, and materials access rules.

R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.08

Rhode Island Condominium Act — Meetings

Requires at least one unit owner meeting per year. Notice must be given 10 to 60 days in advance. Special meetings may be called by …

Elections and Voting Compare across states →

Director elections, board member removal votes, governing document amendments, secret ballot requirements, quorum rules, proxy voting, electronic voting, and inspector of election requirements.

R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.08

Rhode Island Condominium Act — Meetings

Requires at least one unit owner meeting per year. Notice must be given 10 to 60 days in advance. Special meetings may be called by …

Enforcement and Fines Compare across states →

Association authority to enforce governing documents through fines, suspension of privileges, and legal action. Covers fine limits, hearing requirements, notice-and-opportunity procedures, and limitations on enforcement authority.

R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.16

Rhode Island Condominium Act — Lien for Assessments

Creates an assessment lien with 6-month super-priority over first mortgages. Attorney fee cap of $2,500; foreclosure cost cap of $5,000; aggregate cap of $7,500. When …

R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-4.09

Rhode Island Condominium Act — Resale of Units

Requires delivery of a resale certificate within 10 days of a unit owner's request. Contains 12 required disclosure items. Fee capped at $125 for electronic …

Resale Disclosure Compare across states →

Resale certificate and transfer disclosure requirements at the time of unit sale. Covers disclosure timing, content, fee caps, delivery deadlines, buyer rescission rights, and association liability for inaccurate information.

R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-4.09

Rhode Island Condominium Act — Resale of Units

Requires delivery of a resale certificate within 10 days of a unit owner's request. Contains 12 required disclosure items. Fee capped at $125 for electronic …

Fiduciary Duty Compare across states →

Board member fiduciary obligations — duty of care, duty of loyalty, business judgment rule, conflict of interest disclosure, and personal liability exposure. Statutory duties imposed on directors and officers of …

R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.03

Rhode Island Condominium Act — Executive Board Members and Officers

Establishes board powers and fiduciary duties. Declarant-appointed members owe a fiduciary standard of care; elected members owe ordinary and reasonable care. Budget ratification requires a …

Governance Documents Compare across states →

The foundational documents governing common interest communities — declarations (CC&Rs), bylaws, articles of incorporation, rules and regulations, architectural guidelines, and resolutions. Document hierarchy, amendment procedures, and recording requirements.

R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36-1

Rhode Island Condominium Ownership Act (Pre-1982)

The original Rhode Island condominium statute (39 sections), governing condominiums created before July 1, 1982 where construction had commenced. Still in force, though certain sections …

R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-1.02

Rhode Island Condominium Act — Applicability

Establishes the applicability of the Rhode Island Condominium Act to all condominiums created after July 1, 1982. Pre-1982 condominiums may voluntarily adopt the chapter. Certain …

Foreclosure and Liens Compare across states →

Assessment lien filing, priority, extinguishment, and foreclosure procedures. Minimum thresholds for foreclosure, pre-foreclosure notice requirements, mediation mandates, super-priority provisions, and the interaction between HOA liens and mortgage liens.

R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-1.02

Rhode Island Condominium Act — Applicability

Establishes the applicability of the Rhode Island Condominium Act to all condominiums created after July 1, 1982. Pre-1982 condominiums may voluntarily adopt the chapter. Certain …

R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.16

Rhode Island Condominium Act — Lien for Assessments

Creates an assessment lien with 6-month super-priority over first mortgages. Attorney fee cap of $2,500; foreclosure cost cap of $5,000; aggregate cap of $7,500. When …

Developer Transition Compare across states →

The handoff from developer control to owner-controlled governance. Turnover requirements, document delivery obligations, transition audits, warranty periods, and developer liability for construction defects revealed after transition.

R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.03

Rhode Island Condominium Act — Executive Board Members and Officers

Establishes board powers and fiduciary duties. Declarant-appointed members owe a fiduciary standard of care; elected members owe ordinary and reasonable care. Budget ratification requires a …

Legal Facts by Category
Creates an assessment lien with 6-month super-priority over first mortgages. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.16
Sell the unit of any defaulting unit owner at public auction R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.16
Six years after the full amount of the assessments becomes due R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.16
Common expense assessments which would have become due in the absence of acceleration during the six months immediately preceding the foreclosure R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.16
Pre-1982 condos must disclose they are not covered by the 1982 Act. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36-1
When any assessment has been delinquent for 60 days, the association must notify the first mortgage holder via certified mail. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.16
Contains 12 required disclosure items. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-4.09
Voidable by the purchaser until the certificate has been provided and for five days thereafter R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-4.09
Requires delivery of a resale certificate within 10 days of a unit owner's request. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-4.09
Within 10 days after a request by a unit owner R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-4.09
Contract is voidable by the purchaser for 5 days after receipt or until conveyance. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-4.09
Six-year statute of limitations on lien enforcement. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.16
Attorney fee cap of $2,500; foreclosure cost cap of $5,000; aggregate cap of $7,500. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.16
$125 for each certificate R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-4.09
Fee capped at $125 for electronic or physical copy. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-4.09
Still in force, though certain sections of the newer Chapter 34-36.1 apply retroactively to pre-1982 condominiums for post-1982 events. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36-1
The original Rhode Island condominium statute (39 sections), governing condominiums created before July 1, 1982 where construction had commenced. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36-1
Establishes the applicability of the Rhode Island Condominium Act to all condominiums created after July 1, 1982. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-1.02
Certain enumerated sections (including lien, foreclosure, resale, and meetings) apply retroactively to pre-1982 condominiums for post-1982 events. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-1.02
Pre-1982 condominiums may voluntarily adopt the chapter. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-1.02
Declarant control ends at the earliest of: 80 percent conveyance, 2 years after sales cessation, or 2 years after development rights end. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.03
Budget ratification requires a summary to all owners within 30 days and a meeting 14-30 days after mailing — budget passes unless a majority of all unit owners rejects it. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.03
Declarant-appointed members owe a fiduciary standard of care; elected members owe ordinary and reasonable care. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.03
Establishes board powers and fiduciary duties. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.03
Electronic meetings and voting are permitted. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.08
Not fewer than 10 nor more than 60 days in advance R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.08
Requires at least one unit owner meeting per year. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.08
Notice must be given 10 to 60 days in advance. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.08
Special meetings may be called by the president, board majority, or unit owners holding at least 20 percent of votes. R.I. Gen. Laws §34-36.1-3.08
Legal references last verified April 15, 2026. This content is educational and informational. It does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal guidance specific to your situation.
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