Rhode Island · money left over after a tax-deed sale

You can claim it yourself, for free

Who holds it

The city or town treasurer, for a town sale 'without foreclosure'. RIHousing, for homes it bought at tax sale under the Madeline Walker Act

How long

Town treasurer: you must demand it within 5 years, or it goes to the town. RIHousing: you must claim within 90 days after RIHousing resells the home

How you claim

Ask the city or town treasurer for any surplus from a treasurer's sale without foreclosure. If RIHousing held the tax lien, send RIHousing its completed, notarized application within 90 days of its resale. No owner surplus was found in a regular tax sale to a private buyer; only these two cases give one.

If someone offers to do it for you

Fee limits: Not researched yet — ask the clerk.
You never need to pay anyone to file.

Checklist: Rhode Island, money left over after a tax-deed sale

Who holds it: The city or town treasurer, for a town sale 'without foreclosure'. RIHousing, for homes it bought at tax sale under the Madeline Walker Act

How long: Town treasurer: you must demand it within 5 years, or it goes to the town. RIHousing: you must claim within 90 days after RIHousing resells the home

How you claim: Ask the city or town treasurer for any surplus from a treasurer's sale without foreclosure. If RIHousing held the tax lien, send RIHousing its completed, notarized application within 90 days of its resale. No owner surplus was found in a regular tax sale to a private buyer; only these two cases give one.

Your deadline: ____________ (confirm it with the clerk)

Steps

Find out who bought the tax title: the town, RIHousing or a private buyer
If the town treasurer sold the land without foreclosure, demand the surplus from the treasurer within 5 years
If RIHousing resold your home, watch for its notice, mailed within 5 business days of the sale
File RIHousing's notarized application within 90 days of the resale. Competing claimants must agree in writing, or the money goes to Superior Court

Documents

RIHousing: completed notarized application with documents proving your identity and interest in the property

What it costs you

Not researched yet — ask the clerk

If someone offers to do it for you

Fee limits: Not researched yet — ask the clerk.
You never need to pay anyone to file.

Official links

R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-8 (tax sale for the amount owed): https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE44/44-9/44-9-8.htm
R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-36 (treasurer sale without foreclosure): https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE44/44-9/44-9-36.htm
R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-37 (surplus from sale without foreclosure): https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE44/44-9/44-9-37.htm
825-RICR-40-00-2 RIHousing surplus rule (Madeline Walker Act): https://rules.sos.ri.gov/Regulations/part/825-40-00-2

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-8; R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-25; R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-36; R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-37; R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-8.3; R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 44-9-12, 44-9-19, 44-9-21; R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 44-9-24, 44-9-25, 44-9-30; R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-34. Researched, not yet checked by a lawyer; confirm with the clerk. Not legal advice.