R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18.2 § 34-18.2-2
Definitions
Operative Text
As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings:
(1) "Corporation" means the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation (the
"corporation") established pursuant to chapter 55 of title 42 ("Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation"), and also commonly referred
to as "RIHousing".
(2) "Homeowner" shall mean and include any person, corporation, partnership, or association
owning a residential dwelling which is located on leased land.
(3) "Land owner" shall mean and include any person, corporation, partnership, or association
owning land which is leased to another or others whereon there is situated a residential
dwelling or dwellings.
(4) "Leased land" shall mean and include any land owned by any person, corporation, partnership,
or association upon which there is situated a leased residential dwelling owned by
any person, corporation, partnership, or association other than the owner of the land.
(5) "Residential dwelling" shall mean and include any structure located on leased land
and used primarily for residential purposes.Section 34-18.2-2 of Rhode Island General Laws establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Chapter 34-18.2, which governs leased-land residential arrangements. It defines key parties and property types: the state housing finance agency known as RIHousing, homeowners who own structures on land they do not own, land owners who lease ground to others, and the leased land and residential dwellings involved in such arrangements. These definitions set the scope for all other rights, obligations, and protections found elsewhere in the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-18.2-2, a 'land owner' is specifically defined as any person or entity that owns land leased to others on which a residential dwelling sits — a category distinct from a conventional landlord who owns both land and structure. Operators who lease land rather than buildings should recognize that this chapter's definitions frame their legal relationship with homeowners who own the structures on that land. Understanding whether a property arrangement falls within these definitions is a practical first step before applying any other provision of Chapter 34-18.2.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-18.2-2 defines 'homeowner' to include individuals who own a residential dwelling situated on land they lease from someone else — a common arrangement in manufactured-home communities and similar settings. If you own your home but lease the ground beneath it, this definition signals that Chapter 34-18.2 may apply to your situation and could provide relevant protections. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Rhode Island leased-land law can help clarify how these definitions affect the rights available under the rest of the chapter.
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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