R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 31-44.2 § 31-44.2-8
Notices and complaint forms
Operative Text
(a) A notice in substantially the following language shall suffice for the purpose of giving an owner notice of removal of an abandoned mobile or manufactured home pursuant to chapter 44.2 of title 31: THIRTY-DAY NOTICE FOR REMOVAL OF MOBILE OR MANUFACTURED HOME Date of Notice: __________ You are notified that a certain mobile or manufactured home (describe mobile home in terms of size, color, make, and model, if known) located at (give address or describe location) meets the definition of an abandoned mobile or manufactured home within the meaning of the "Abandoned Mobile or Manufactured Home Act" pursuant to chapter 44.2 of title 31. Unless all delinquent taxes (including penalty and interest) are paid, and electric, water, and waste service are restored to this mobile or manufactured home within thirty (30) days of the date of this notice, the plaintiff shall remove and dispose of the mobile or manufactured home, and it shall be disposed of or sold at public auction free and clear of any existing liens. ____________________ Signature of plaintiff I certify that I placed in regular U.S. mail first class postage prepaid, a copy of this notice addressed to the defendant on the __________ day of _____ 20_____ . (b) A complaint in substantially the following language shall suffice for the purpose of commencing removal of an abandoned mobile or manufactured home pursuant to chapter 44.2 of title 31: State of Rhode Island ____________ , Sc. DISTRICT COURT __________ __________ DIVISION PLAINTIFF DEFENDANT (Landowner/Licensee/Municipality Name) V (Mobile or Manufactured Homeowner Name) ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ (Address) (Address of premises on which abandoned mobile or manufactured home is located) COMPLAINT FOR REMOVAL OF ABANDONED MOBILE OR MANUFACTURED HOME chapter 44.2 of title 31. (1) Plaintiff is the landowner/licensee/municipality in which defendant's/owner's mobile or manufactured home is situated. (2) The mobile or manufactured home meets the definition of abandoned mobile or manufacturer home as set forth in § 31-44.2-2(3) in the following manner. CHECK ONE OR ALL THAT APPLY Defendant's mobile or manufactured home is: _____ Not connected to electricity or not connected to a source of safe potable water supply sufficient for normal residential needs, or both; or _____ Not connected to an adequate wastewater disposal system; or _____ Unoccupied for a period of at least one hundred twenty (120) days and for which there is clear and convincing evidence that the occupant does not intend to return; or _____ So damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin infested that it creates a hazard to the health and safety of the occupants or the public. (3) Plaintiff seeks judgment for removal of defendant's mobile or manufactured home. If you do not remedy this situation within thirty (30) days your mobile or manufactured home will be removed without further notice on ________ (date), which must not be less than thirty-one (31) days from the date of mailing this notice. Plaintiff seeks costs and fees (if applicable). _________________________ Signature of landowner/licensee/municipality I certify that I placed in regular U.S. mail first class postage prepaid, a copy of this notice, addressed to defendant on the ________ day of_____ 20_____ . _________________________ Signature of landowner/licensee/municipality
Rhode Island General Laws § 31-44.2-8 establishes the official template language for two key documents used in the abandoned mobile or manufactured home removal process: a thirty-day notice to the homeowner and a formal complaint filed in District Court. The notice informs the homeowner that their mobile or manufactured home has been deemed abandoned under the Abandoned Mobile or Manufactured Home Act and gives them thirty days to resolve delinquent taxes and restore utilities before removal proceeds. The complaint form, filed in Rhode Island District Court, formally initiates the legal removal process by identifying the grounds for abandonment as defined in § 31-44.2-2(3), such as lack of utility connections, extended vacancy, or hazardous conditions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 31-44.2-8, landowners, licensees, and municipalities seeking to remove an abandoned mobile or manufactured home are expected to use the statutory notice and complaint forms provided in this section, or language that substantially conforms to them. A compliant operator generally ensures the notice accurately describes the home, specifies the address, identifies the delinquent obligations, and is sent via first-class U.S. mail with proper certification of mailing. When proceeding to the complaint stage, operators typically check all applicable grounds for abandonment as listed in the form and allow the required thirty-one-day minimum period from mailing before any removal takes place.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 31-44.2-8 sets out the specific notice and complaint forms that must be used when a landowner or municipality seeks to remove a mobile or manufactured home classified as abandoned, which means homeowners are entitled to receive written notice in this prescribed form before any removal action can proceed. Upon receiving a thirty-day notice, a homeowner generally has the opportunity to remedy the cited conditions—such as paying delinquent taxes or restoring utility connections—within the notice period to halt the removal process. Homeowners who believe the notice or complaint does not substantially conform to the requirements of § 31-44.2-8, or who dispute the abandonment classification, may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand what options may be available to them.
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
References Out
Rules and statutes cited by this regulation
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation