Tax Sales and Sheriff Sales in Rhode Island

How tax sales work in Rhode Island

Rhode Island sells a redeemable deed: the buyer gets the deed, but the owner can buy it back for a set penalty during a redemption period.

What the buyer earns. 10% of the purchase price if redeemed within six months of the collector's sale, plus 1% of the purchase price for each succeeding month; plus 1% per month on later taxes the purchaser paid (RIGL 44-9-19, 44-9-21)..

Redemption. Until the purchaser petitions the superior court to foreclose the right of redemption, which may be filed one year after the sale (RIGL 44-9-25).

When and where the sales are held

Who runs them: Municipal tax collector (city or town).

When: Each city or town schedules its own sale as needed, after the published and mailed notices the statute requires (RIGL 44-9-9 to 44-9-11).

Where: Public auction held by the municipal tax collector, typically at the town or city hall, as stated in the notice of sale.

The list of parcels for each sale is published by the office that runs it, usually a few weeks ahead, in the county's legal newspaper and on the county or platform site. UX Search does not list tax sale parcels; these sales are run by the counties and the platforms they contract, and the links on this page go to the official sources.

Sheriff sales and foreclosure sales in Rhode Island

Rhode Island mortgage foreclosure is non-judicial under the statutory power of sale (RIGL 34-11-22, 34-27-4): the mortgagee or its attorney conducts a public auction, usually on the premises, after mailing notice to the mortgagor and publishing the notice in a newspaper once a week for three successive weeks, the first publication at least 21 days before the sale (RIGL 34-27-4). No sheriff is involved and there is no post-sale redemption.

A tax sale and a sheriff sale are different animals even when the same office runs both. A tax sale clears unpaid property taxes and in most states wipes out junior liens; a mortgage foreclosure sale pays the lender and may leave tax liens in place. Before bidding at either, pull the title, read the judgment or the tax certificate, and know which liens survive the sale in Rhode Island.

Official sources for Rhode Island

• RIGL 44-9-19 – Redemption of land sold for taxes
• RIGL 44-9-25 – Petition for foreclosure of redemption
• RIGL 34-27-4 – Publication of notice under power of sale

Statute: R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 44-9 (Tax Sales), esp. §§ 44-9-7 to 44-9-12, 44-9-19, 44-9-21, 44-9-25; mortgage foreclosure RIGL 34-27-4.

Questions people ask

Does Rhode Island sell tax liens or tax deeds?

Rhode Island sells a redeemable deed: the buyer gets the deed, but the owner can buy it back for a set penalty during a redemption period. Rhode Island tax sales are run by each city or town tax collector, who auctions the delinquent parcel and gives the buyer a collector's deed that is subject to the owner's right of redemption. The owner redeems by repaying the purchase price plus a 10% penalty if redeemed within six months and an extra 1% of the purchase price for each month after that, plus any later taxes paid. After one year the purchaser can petition the superior court to foreclose the right of redemption, which cuts off the owner's rights.

How long is the redemption period after a tax sale in Rhode Island?

Until the purchaser petitions the superior court to foreclose the right of redemption, which may be filed one year after the sale (RIGL 44-9-25)

What does the buyer earn if the owner redeems in Rhode Island?

10% of the purchase price if redeemed within six months of the collector's sale, plus 1% of the purchase price for each succeeding month; plus 1% per month on later taxes the purchaser paid (RIGL 44-9-19, 44-9-21).

Who runs tax sales in Rhode Island?

Municipal tax collector (city or town). Public auction held by the municipal tax collector, typically at the town or city hall, as stated in the notice of sale

When are tax sales held in Rhode Island?

Each city or town schedules its own sale as needed, after the published and mailed notices the statute requires (RIGL 44-9-9 to 44-9-11)

Are sheriff sales in Rhode Island judicial?

Rhode Island mortgage foreclosure is non-judicial under the statutory power of sale (RIGL 34-11-22, 34-27-4): the mortgagee or its attorney conducts a public auction, usually on the premises, after mailing notice to the mortgagor and publishing the notice in a newspaper once a week for three successive weeks, the first publication at least 21 days before the sale (RIGL 34-27-4). No sheriff is involved and there is no post-sale redemption.

Can anyone bid at a tax sale or sheriff sale in Rhode Island?

Generally yes, with registration through the office or platform that runs the sale, and often a deposit or proof of funds. Payment is usually due the same day or within a few days in certified funds, and the property is sold as is with whatever title questions come with it. Read the county's terms for the sale you are bidding in; they differ from one county to the next in the same state.

Written from the Rhode Island statutes and official county pages, last checked October 27, 2026. Rules change by session and by county; the official sources above control. UX Search is independent, lists no tax sale parcels and never takes a bid.