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Foreclosure and tax sales in Rhode Island

What our research shows about Rhode Island's rules. General information with sources — not legal advice, and not a reading of your papers.

CoreResearched in depth, key rules checked against the official text.Research last reviewed 2026-09-22

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How foreclosure works

Usual process: Nonjudicial (out of court)
From a reputable summary[1][2]
Allowed processes: Judicial (through court) · Nonjudicial (out of court)
From a reputable summary[1]
Main statutes: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-27-4; R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-27-9
From a reputable summary[1]
Typical length (estimate): Not researched yet for this state.

+At least 120 days
Federal rule: the servicer generally cannot make the first foreclosure notice or filing until you are more than 120 days behind
Applies to most home loans in every state. A complete loss-mitigation application sent more than 37 days before a sale also triggers federal protections.
Checked against the official text12 CFR § 1024.41(f)(1)
+At least 60 days
Notice of default / right to cure — at least 60 days before the next step
Before the loan is 120 days delinquent and before foreclosing, the lender must mail a mediation notice; the free mediation conference happens within 60 days of that mailing. A foreclosure without it is voidable.
From a reputable summary
Mediation / settlement conference required in your state
Rhode Island foreclosure mediation conference. For an owner-occupied 1–4 unit primary residence with a first-lien mortgage, the lender must offer a free mediation conference before foreclosing and needs a certificate from the mediation coordinator to proceed.
From a reputable summary
Notice of sale — at least 51 days before the sale
The sale notice is mailed to you at least 30 days before the first newspaper publication; it is then published weekly for three weeks, the first at least 21 days before the sale — so at least 51 days of mailed notice.
From a reputable summary
+At least 51 days
Foreclosure sale
From a reputable summary
No right to redeem after the sale
No redemption after a nonjudicial sale.
From a reputable summary

A general sequence built from the rules above. "At least" periods are the shortest we found; your case can take longer.

Notice before foreclosure: At least 60 daysBefore the loan is 120 days delinquent and before foreclosing, the lender must mail a mediation notice; the free mediation conference happens within 60 days of that mailing. A foreclosure without it is voidable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-27-9
From a reputable summary[1]
Notice of sale: At least 51 daysThe sale notice is mailed to you at least 30 days before the first newspaper publication; it is then published weekly for three weeks, the first at least 21 days before the sale — so at least 51 days of mailed notice.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-27-4. The 51-day figure is our arithmetic from the two rules.
From a reputable summary[1]
Publication: Newspaper weekly for three weeks, first at least 21 days before the sale.
From a reputable summary[1]
When sales happen: Not researched yet for this state.

Catching up (reinstatement): No statutory reinstatement right.
From a reputable summary[2]
Buying the home back (redemption): NoNo redemption after a nonjudicial sale.
From a reputable summary[1][2]
Owing money after the sale (deficiency): YesBy lawsuit after the sale.
From a reputable summary[1][2]
Mediation: RequiredRhode Island foreclosure mediation conference.For an owner-occupied 1–4 unit primary residence with a first-lien mortgage, the lender must offer a free mediation conference before foreclosing and needs a certificate from the mediation coordinator to proceed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-27-9
From a reputable summary[1]

Tax sale system: Redeemable tax deed
Tax sale auction of the smallest undivided share (at least 1%); the buyer’s deed is subject to redemption until a court forecloses it.
From a reputable summary[3]
How it works: Notice by first-class mail at least 90 days before and certified mail at least 40 days before the sale (or personal service 30 days before). Owners 65+ or disabled can name a third party to receive notice.
From a reputable summary[3]
Redeeming after a tax sale: At least one year (the buyer must wait a year to petition to foreclose); then through the court. Cost: 10% penalty in the first six months plus 1% per later month.
R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 44-9-21, 44-9-25
From a reputable summary[3]
Relief programs: Not researched yet for this state.
Payment plans: Not researched yet for this state.
Surplus after a tax sale: Not researched yet for this state.

Federal exemption list: You may choose the federal list
You may choose the federal bankruptcy exemption list (11 U.S.C. § 522(d)) instead of the state list — one list or the other, never a mix.
From a reputable summary[4]
Homestead exemption: $500,000$500,000; automatic; does not apply to bank debt or debts from before the home was acquired.(R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-26-4.1)
From a reputable summary[5]

Free legal aid (LSC-funded): Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc.
Checked against the official text[7]
Legal help website: Rhode Island Legal Services
The official site blocked our automated check on 2026-09-22; confirm the page before relying on it.
Not confirmed — check it[8]
State housing agency: RIHousing
Checked against the official text[6]
Attorney general / consumer protection: Rhode Island Attorney General — Consumer Protection
The official site blocked our automated check on 2026-09-22; confirm the page before relying on it.
Not confirmed — check it[9]
Court self-help: Rhode Island Judiciary — Self-Help Center
Checked against the official text[10]
HUD-approved housing counselors: HUD-approved housing counseling agencies — Free or low-cost, HUD-approved housing counselors in every state. Call or search by ZIP code.

Retrieved 2026-09-22. Official texts are marked “official”; summaries are marked “summary”.