Rhode Island Real Estate Lawyer Blog

Rhode Island property owners may have several reasons for modifying the construction of a home or business building. Transforming a single-family residence into a multi-family dwelling can increase property values and potential uses for a piece of real estate. If a property owner is interested in modifying a structure or constructing additional units on their…

Lessors of residential properties, including homes, apartments, and single rooms, are required by law to keep the properties to a certain standard of habitability for their tenants. In the event that a property is not habitable in accordance with the law, a tenant can pursue an action against the landlord to enforce repairs, reduce the…

When a Rhode Island property owner fails to pay property taxes on their real estate, a tax sale may be triggered, where the property is sold at a public auction to the highest bidder. Whoever is the highest bidder may then take possession of the property after paying off the delinquent taxes. After a tax…

Rhode Island child custody disputes can be especially difficult during and after a divorce. Family court judges are granted wide discretion in determining what custody or visitation arrangement a family will be required to abide by, and overturning these decisions can be difficult. The Rhode Island Supreme Court recently released an opinion denying a father’s…

Landlords and tenants of residential, commercial, and industrial properties often share the financial and other obligations related to the property. These obligations include taxes, utilities, maintenance, insurance, and financial liability for injuries suffered on the property. Some obligations are generally accepted as the responsibility of the owner or the tenant. For example, the responsibilities of…

Property law in Rhode Island and Massachusetts contains allowances for persons who are not in rightful possession of a piece of property to gain possession, or even title to the property if certain conditions are met. In Rhode Island, people squatting, or staying in an abandoned property without paying rent, utilities, or taxes may hold…

Landlords in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut must comply with the consumer protection laws of each state when charging security deposits or other refundable or non-refundable fees to incoming residents pursuant to a lease or rental agreement. Move-in fees charged for atypical types of living arrangements, such as inpatient hospitalizations or residency in an assisted…

A Massachusetts woman was mauled to death in a tragic dog attack that occurred less than 20 miles from Providence, Rhode Island last month. According to a local news report, the woman was having a seizure when she was attacked by her family’s eight-year-old pit bull. Medical crews and police were called to the scene…

Residential and commercial developments often contain restrictive covenants that protect property owners from various behaviors of other owners in the development that may affect the value, use, or enjoyment of their property. The Rhode Island Supreme Court recently decided an appeal in a Rhode Island real estate lawsuit filed by the owner of one home…

Disputes between adjoining condominium owners or members of homeowners associations are a commonly occurring Rhode Island real estate issue. Members of condominium or homeowners associations may have differing interpretations of the foundational documents, which can lead to disputes over governing the association. The Rhode Island Superior Court recently released a ruling that put to rest…