# R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-2: Definitions

> Rhode Island · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-2

## Section

- **Citation:** R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-2
- **Heading:** Definitions
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-44 / Section 34-44-2

## Text

As used in this chapter:

(1) €œAbandon€ or €œabandonment€ means a situation where the owner of a building has intended to abandon the building and has manifested the intent with some act or failure to act. In determining whether an owner has abandoned his or her building, a court shall infer the intent of the owner from the existence of serious code violations that pose a health and/or safety hazard to the community and that have gone unrepaired for an unreasonable amount of time and from any of the surrounding facts and circumstances including, but not limited to the following:

(i) Whether or not the building is vacant;

(ii) Whether or not the grounds are maintained;

(iii) Whether or not the building€™s interior is sound;

(iv) Whether or not any vandalism on the building has gone unrepaired;

(v) Whether or not rents have been collected from the building€™s tenants by the owner;

(vi) The length of time any of the above conditions have existed.

(2) €œAbate€ or €œabatement€ in connection with any property means the removal or correction of any hazardous conditions deemed to constitute a public nuisance and the making of such other improvements as are needed to affect a rehabilitation of the property that is consistent with maintaining safe and habitable conditions over the remaining useful life of the property. However, the closing or boarding up of any building that is found to be a public nuisance is not an abatement of the nuisance.

(3) €œBuilding€ means any building or structure used for residential purposes or used for retail stores, shops, salesrooms, markets, or similar commercial uses, or for offices, banks, civic administration activities, professional services, or similar business or civic uses.

(4) €œInterested party€ means any owner, mortgagee, lienholder, or other entity or person who or that possesses an interest of record in any property that becomes subject to the jurisdiction of the court pursuant to this chapter and any applicant for the appointment of a receiver pursuant to this chapter.

(5) €œNeighboring landowner€ means any owner of property, including any entity or person who or that is purchasing property by land installment contract or under a duly executed purchase contract, that is located within two hundred feet (200€²) of any property that becomes subject to the jurisdiction of the court pursuant to this chapter.

(6) €œPublic nuisance€ means a building that is a menace to the public health, welfare, or safety; or that is structurally unsafe, unsanitary; or not provided with adequate safe egress; or that constitutes a fire hazard; or is otherwise dangerous to human life; or is otherwise no longer fit and habitable; or that, in relation to existing use, constitutes a hazard to the public health, welfare, or safety by reason of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, obsolescence, or abandonment.

## Nearby sections

- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-1 § 34-44-1. Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-1.1 § 34-44-1.1. Inventory of abandoned properties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-1.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-2 § 34-44-2. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-3 § 34-44-3. Injunctive relief and other relief.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-4 § 34-44-4. Public nuisance determination €” Show cause hearing €” Appointment of receiver.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-4.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-4.1 § 34-44-4.1. Court determinations required.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-4.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-5 § 34-44-5. Demolition.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-5.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-6 § 34-44-6. Receiver€™s bond €” Power and duties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-6.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-7 § 34-44-7. Nonapplicability of monetary jurisdiction limits €” Personal liability of receiver.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-7.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-8 § 34-44-8. Expenses of receivership €” Fees.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-8.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-9 § 34-44-9. Discharge of a receiver.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-9.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-10 § 34-44-10. Legality of prior and inferior mortgage liens.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-10.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-11 § 34-44-11. Receiver€™s entitlement to fees and commissions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-11.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-44-12 § 34-44-12. Sale of building and property by receiver.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-12.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-44_S34-44-2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.