Rhode Island Real Estate Lawyer Blog

Rhode Island and other state’s laws grant cities and other municipal associations the ability to purchase land from private property owners as is necessary for the construction or maintenance of sewer and drainage systems which are needed for the public convenience, health, or welfare. If a private property owner cannot agree with the municipality on…

It is widely accepted that Rhode Island landowners should be awarded compensation for regulatory takings such as municipal utility construction that is performed on or under their property while the landowner maintains possession of the property. Furthermore, if a municipal or state actor takes entire possession of private land for utility or development purposes using…

Factual determinations that are made by family courts in Rhode Island divorce proceedings may be the subject of much dispute and differing interpretations, but appellate courts usually grant lower courts great deference by accepting a family court’s factual findings unless there is overwhelming evidence of a mistake. The Rhode Island Supreme Court recently decided an…

Several state and federal laws require that a home sold for habitation in Rhode Island meet specific standards for habitability and use. Additionally, home purchases are protected by common law holdings that forbid sellers from intentionally concealing or misrepresenting certain issues or defects which may exist in a home that is under contract. A state…

Most Rhode Island homeowner’s insurance policies insure the policyholder from personal liability for injuries and property damage that may occur both on the insured property as well as in other places. The personal liability protection is broad, but not unlimited, and many exclusions apply, depending on the specific homeowner’s insurance policy. In a recently decided…

Rhode Island property owners have serious interests in maintaining public road access to their property when larger tracts of land are divided after a sale or other conveyance. Occasionally, tracts of property that are not adjacent to any public road require easements on adjoining property in order to be accessible and maintain their value. A…

Owners of real property located in New England coastal areas or near other protected natural resources are subject to local, state, and federal laws that may restrict or prohibit construction on the property in ways that the owner may not expect. The Appeals Court of Massachusetts recently published an opinion in a case filed by…

Disputes between neighbors over construction and land use within Rhode Island residential subdivisions often get out of hand, with homeowners going to great lengths to prevent their neighbors from using their property in the way they see fit. The Rhode Island Superior Court recently issued a ruling in a lawsuit that was filed over such…

Rhode Island property owners may have several reasons for modifying the construction of a home or business building. Transforming a single-family residence into a multi-family dwelling can increase property values and potential uses for a piece of real estate. If a property owner is interested in modifying a structure or constructing additional units on their…

Lessors of residential properties, including homes, apartments, and single rooms, are required by law to keep the properties to a certain standard of habitability for their tenants. In the event that a property is not habitable in accordance with the law, a tenant can pursue an action against the landlord to enforce repairs, reduce the…