Rhode Island Landlord Selling the House
Rhode Island rules on landlord selling the house for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: A landlord who sells to a good-faith buyer is released from liability for events after the tenant receives written notice of the sale, which must give the buyer's name, address and phone number and certify compliance with the housing-code disclosure law (§ 45-24.3-17). R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-23, 34-18-19(g)
The rules in Rhode Island
| If the landlord sells the property | A landlord who sells to a good-faith buyer is released from liability for events after the tenant receives written notice of the sale, which must give the buyer's name, address and phone number and certify compliance with the housing-code disclosure law (§ 45-24.3-17). The sale does not affect the tenant's rights under an existing lease, and a buyer of a building with four or fewer units takes title with the same rights and responsibilities toward the tenant as the seller. Whoever holds the landlord's interest when the tenancy ends is bound by the security-deposit return rules. Deposit rule: https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-18/34-18-19.htm |
|---|---|
| Tenants in foreclosure | For buildings with 4 or fewer units, a 'foreclosing owner' (the lender or its affiliate, an institutional mortgagee holding title within 3 years, or Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac) may not evict a bona fide tenant except for just cause, or when a binding sale to a bona fide third-party buyer exists (with disclosure), or under certain HUD/FHA occupied-conveyance rules. Within 30 days of foreclosure, the owner must post, mail, and slide under the door a notice with its contact information, the address for paying rent, and a continued-occupancy form. Eviction for cause cannot start until 30 days after that notice. Separately, a landlord 120 days delinquent on the mortgage must tell tenants the property may be foreclosed; tenants must keep paying rent until foreclosure. Enacted by P.L. 2014, ch. 486/513. Definitions: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-18/34-18-38.1.htm |
Related questions
Rhode Island vs. neighboring states
| State | If the landlord sells the property | Tenants in foreclosure |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | A landlord who sells to a good-faith buyer is released from liability for events after the tenant receives written notice of the sale, which must give the buyer's name, address and phone number and certify compliance with the housing-code disclosure law (§ 45-24.3-17). The sale does not affect the tenant's rights under an existing lease, and a buyer of a building with four or fewer units takes title with the same rights and responsibilities toward the tenant as the seller. Whoever holds the landlord's interest when the tenancy ends is bound by the security-deposit return rules. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-23, 34-18-19(g) | For buildings with 4 or fewer units, a 'foreclosing owner' (the lender or its affiliate, an institutional mortgagee holding title within 3 years, or Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac) may not evict a bona fide tenant except for just cause, or when a binding sale to a bona fide third-party buyer exists (with disclosure), or under certain HUD/FHA occupied-conveyance rules. Within 30 days of foreclosure, the owner must post, mail, and slide under the door a notice with its contact information, the address for paying rent, and a continued-occupancy form. Eviction for cause cannot start until 30 days after that notice. Separately, a landlord 120 days delinquent on the mortgage must tell tenants the property may be foreclosed; tenants must keep paying rent until foreclosure. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-38.1, 34-18-38.2, 34-18-20(d) |
| Connecticut | Unless otherwise agreed, a landlord who sells the rental to a good-faith buyer is relieved of liability under the lease and the landlord-tenant laws for events after the tenant gets written notice of the sale. Any sale or other transfer of the landlord's interest assigns the security interest in all tenants' deposits to the new owner (the successor), and the selling landlord must withdraw the deposits plus accrued interest from escrow and deliver them to the successor. The successor is liable for returning any part of a deposit that becomes due while it is the landlord. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-10(a), 47a-21(c), (e), (h)(3) | When residential property is foreclosed and a bona fide tenant (not the owner, in an arm's-length lease) is in possession when title vests, ejectment is stayed and no eviction may start until: (1) for a written lease signed more than 60 days before the foreclosure began, the earlier of the lease end date or 60 days after title vests; or (2) for other tenancies, 30 days after title vests. Eviction for an ordinary ground, such as nonpayment, may proceed sooner. Any cash-for-keys offer from the lender or new owner must be at least the greatest of: the security deposit plus interest; 2 months' rent; or $2,000. The tenant cannot be required to waive other rights to receive it. The federal PTFA's longer 90-day notice also applies where it governs. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-20e; § 47a-20f |
| Massachusetts | A tenancy at will in a home is not ended by the owner's sale, transfer or lease of the property, or by foreclosure (G.L. c. 186, §13). When a landlord holding a security deposit transfers the property by sale, assignment, death, receivership or otherwise, the landlord must transfer the deposit plus accrued interest to the successor, who then becomes liable for holding and returning it. Within 45 days of the transfer, the successor must notify the tenant in writing that it holds the deposit, with names, business addresses and phone numbers. If the old landlord fails to transfer the deposit, the successor still owes it to the tenant; a successor may satisfy that duty for a tenant still in the unit by giving rent-free occupancy equal to the deposit amount (c. 186, §15B(5)). G.L. c. 186, §13; G.L. c. 186, §15B(5) | Strong state protections. A foreclosing owner (lender or its affiliate) may not evict a tenant except for just cause, or once there is a binding purchase-and-sale agreement with a bona fide third-party buyer. Within 30 days of foreclosure, the owner must post notice in the building, mail it to each unit, and slide it under each unit's door, giving the owner and manager contact information and where to send rent, plus a written notice of the right to a court hearing. Evictions for nonpayment, uncured violations, or refusing a lease renewal can't start until 30 days after that notice. A tenancy at will is not ended by sale, transfer or foreclosure. M.G.L. c. 186A, §§ 2, 3, 4; c. 186, § 13 |
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Rhode Island Landlord Selling the House FAQ
What happens to my lease if my landlord sells the house in Rhode Island?
A landlord who sells to a good-faith buyer is released from liability for events after the tenant receives written notice of the sale, which must give the buyer's name, address and phone number and certify compliance with the housing-code disclosure law (§ 45-24.3-17). The sale does not affect the tenant's rights under an existing lease, and a buyer of a building with four or fewer units takes title with the same rights and responsibilities toward the tenant as the seller. Whoever holds the landlord's interest when the tenancy ends is bound by the security-deposit return rules. (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-23, 34-18-19(g))
What are tenants' rights in a foreclosure in Rhode Island?
For buildings with 4 or fewer units, a 'foreclosing owner' (the lender or its affiliate, an institutional mortgagee holding title within 3 years, or Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac) may not evict a bona fide tenant except for just cause, or when a binding sale to a bona fide third-party buyer exists (with disclosure), or under certain HUD/FHA occupied-conveyance rules. Within 30 days of foreclosure, the owner must post, mail, and slide under the door a notice with its contact information, the address for paying rent, and a continued-occupancy form. Eviction for cause cannot start until 30 days after that notice. Separately, a landlord 120 days delinquent on the mortgage must tell tenants the property may be foreclosed; tenants must keep paying rent until foreclosure. (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-38.1, 34-18-38.2, 34-18-20(d))
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.