State laws / Rhode Island
Rhode Island tax sales: liens, deeds, rates & redemption
Quick answerRhode Island sells redeemable tax deeds for unpaid property taxes. Lien buyers can earn Penalty of 10% of the purchase price if redeemed within the first 6 months, plus an additional 1% of the purchase price for each succeeding month, plus 1% per month interest on intervening taxes paid by the purchaser (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-19). Redemption: At least 1 year from the date of sale — the purchaser may not file a petition to foreclose the right of redemption until 1 year after the sale, and redemption continues until that foreclosure is decreed (§§ 44-9-19, 44-9-25) Sales: Set by each city/town collector, year-round; many municipalities hold an annual sale, commonly in spring (e.g. Providence's 2026 sale was May 21) Governing law: R.I. Gen. Laws Title 44, Chapter 9 (§§ 44-9-1 et seq., esp. §§ 44-9-8, 44-9-19, 44-9-25).
Where to bid: GovEase (online — e.g. City of Providence)municipality-specific / mostly in-person in smaller towns
| What is sold | Redeemable tax deeds |
|---|---|
| Interest / penalty | Penalty of 10% of the purchase price if redeemed within the first 6 months, plus an additional 1% of the purchase price for each succeeding month, plus 1% per month interest on intervening taxes paid by the purchaser (R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-19) |
| Redemption period | At least 1 year from the date of sale — the purchaser may not file a petition to foreclose the right of redemption until 1 year after the sale, and redemption continues until that foreclosure is decreed (§§ 44-9-19, 44-9-25) |
| When sales happen | Set by each city/town collector, year-round; many municipalities hold an annual sale, commonly in spring (e.g. Providence's 2026 sale was May 21) |
| Governing law | R.I. Gen. Laws Title 44, Chapter 9 (§§ 44-9-1 et seq., esp. §§ 44-9-8, 44-9-19, 44-9-25) |
| Investor notes | The collector's deed is delivered at sale but remains subject to redemption, and bidding is traditionally down on an undivided percentage interest in the parcel rather than simply up on price in every municipality — confirm the bid method in the sale notice. After the year, the buyer must petition Superior Court to foreclose redemption to get absolute title. |
Sources
- https://ritca.org/Handbook.pdf
- https://taxlien.io/rankings/
- https://legalclarity.org/tax-deed-sales-in-rhode-island-how-the-process-works/
- https://taxliensimple.com/auctions/online
Law verified 2026-10-30 against the sources above. Confirm current details with the county tax collector / clerk before bidding — counties can change dates and procedures.