R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 6-13.1 § 6-13.1-17
Contracts — Provision to sell real estate
Operative Text
It is unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, or association to provide in any contract for the purchase of consumer goods or documents related to them a provision allowing the seller the power to sell or attach real estate for default without first obtaining an order by a court exercising proper jurisdiction of the subject matter.
Rhode Island General Laws § 6-13.1-17 prohibits any seller of consumer goods from including a contract clause that would allow the seller to sell or place a lien on a buyer's real estate as a remedy for non-payment or default, unless a court of competent jurisdiction has first issued an order authorizing that action. The rule applies to the contract itself and to any related documents. In effect, a seller cannot bypass the judicial process to reach a buyer's real property when a consumer transaction goes unpaid.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13.1-17, operators who sell consumer goods and use written contracts or financing agreements should ensure that none of those documents contain clauses purporting to grant the seller an automatic right to attach or sell a buyer's real property upon default. Compliant contracts limit remedies to those that do not circumvent court oversight for real-estate-related enforcement. Reviewing standard form agreements with qualified legal counsel to confirm the absence of such provisions is a common practice among operators seeking to stay within the law.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13.1-17 gives Rhode Island consumers a protection against contract terms that would allow a seller of consumer goods to seize or sell their home or other real property without going through the courts first. If a consumer believes a contract they signed contains such a prohibited clause, that clause may be unenforceable under this provision. General enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the Rhode Island Attorney General's consumer protection unit, raising the violation as a defense in any collection proceeding, or consulting a tenant- or consumer-rights organization for guidance on next steps.
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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