Amends the definition of abandoned property by imposing the requirement that the building owner be notified of the violation and has failed to address such violations in the timeframes set forth in the notice of violation or court order.

Rhode Island Abandoned Property Bill Summary

This bill changes how Rhode Island legally defines an "abandoned property." Under the proposed change, a property cannot be officially labeled as "abandoned" unless the building owner has first been formally notified of the violations or problems with the property and has failed to fix those issues within the timeframe specified in the official notice or any court order. In other words, the government must give the owner a fair warning and a chance to respond before the abandoned property label can be applied.

This change affects property owners across Rhode Island, particularly those who own buildings that may be in disrepair or otherwise out of compliance with local standards. Under the current law, it appears a property could potentially be classified as abandoned without this formal notification step being required. The new language adds a layer of protection for owners by ensuring they have a clear opportunity to address problems before facing the legal and financial consequences that can come with an "abandoned property" designation.

The bill also has implications for municipalities, local code enforcement agencies, and courts, as they would be required to follow this notification and waiting process before classifying a property as abandoned. This could affect how quickly cities and towns can act on problem properties in their communities.

Overall, this bill seeks to balance the rights of property owners to receive due notice with the community's interest in addressing neglected or problem properties. It is currently scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Housing and Municipal Government Committee.