HOA rules in Rhode Island

Rhode Island is condominium-statute–centered. Condominiums created on or after July 1, 1982 are under R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 34-36.1. Older condominiums may still answer partly to Chapter 34-36. Rhode Island has no comprehensive planned-community HOA statute, so non-condo associations generally run on recorded covenants plus Chapter 7-6 if incorporated. Confirm which track applies, then confirm the current General Laws text and your documents. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Under § 34-36.1-3.20, a condominium executive board may impose fines only after notice and an opportunity for a hearing. Residential daily fines are capped at $100 per day; other residential fines at $500. Commercial daily fines are capped at $500 per day; other commercial fines at $1,000. Declaration/bylaw/rule provisions that purport to set a lower maximum fine are invalid under the statute. Hearings are before the executive board or its designee. The retrieved section does not set a numbered hearing-request day count — do not invent one. Non-condo fining, if any, is document-driven and has no retrieved statewide dollar cap.

Condo assessment/fine liens arise when due (§ 34-36.1-3.16); recording the declaration perfects the lien. Limited six-month common-expense priority over a prior first mortgage/deed of trust exists (with notice rules; priority amount excludes special assessments, late charges, fines, penalties, and interest). Records must be reasonably available for examination within 30 days of a request (§ 34-36.1-3.18). Rhode Island has no statewide HOA ombudsman on this page.

This is general information from an AI helper, not legal advice. Confirm it against your documents and your state's law. If a deadline or hearing is coming up, talk to a licensed lawyer.