In Rhode Island, you may not sell a unit's contents sooner than 60 days after default and 15 days after the final published ad. Two notices come first: a balance reminder no sooner than day 5, then a second notice no sooner than day 14 that demands payment by a date at least 14 days after mailing.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Review your notices and sale plan with your attorney before you act.
Rhode Island lien timeline at a glance
Rhode Island's law is R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 34-42, sections 34-42-1 to 34-42-9. (Chapter 34-45 is a federally assisted housing chapter and is not the storage lien law.) Section 34-42-4 was amended in 2025, effective July 5, 2025. All day counts below run from default.
| Step | Earliest timing | What the law requires | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Default | Day 0 | Failure to perform on time any duty in the rental agreement or chapter. | 34-42-2(2) |
| 2. Deny access | Day 1 | Reasonable and peaceful denial of access. | 34-42-4(b) |
| 3. First notice | Day 5 | Current balance due, with a reminder to bring it current or risk lien enforcement. In person, regular mail or verified email. | 34-42-4(a)(1) |
| 4. Second notice | Day 14 | Claim, access denial, property description, payment demand at least 14 days after mailing, conspicuous sale statement, your name, address and phone. | 34-42-4(a)(2) |
| 5. Advertise | After the second notice period ends (derived: about day 28) | Website once a week for 2 consecutive weeks, or once in a newspaper. | 34-42-4(d) |
| 6. Sale | Day 60 and 15 days after the final ad | At the facility, nearest suitable place, or online. | 34-42-4(e), (f) |
The 60 day rule is the longest clock, so the notice and ad steps fit inside it.
Worked example
Say a $100 unit is unpaid from April 1. On April 6 (day 5) you email the balance reminder. On April 15 (day 14) you mail the second notice with a pay-by date of April 29. When that passes, you start the website ad on April 30 and repeat it May 7. The final ad runs May 7, so 15 days after it is May 22. Day 60 after default is May 31, so the sale cannot happen before May 31. The ad dates are derived. The statute fixes only the 60 and 15 day limits.
Notice requirements
Both notices go to the tenant and to all persons known to claim an interest in the property. You may deliver them in person, by regular mail to the last known address, or by verified email. "Last known address" includes an email address in the latest rental agreement or a later written change. The chapter does not define "verified email" precisely, so keep delivery proof and consider following up by mail. It does not say whether you can send the second notice before the first notice period ends.
Alternate contact
There is no separate alternate contact rule. Notice goes to the tenant and anyone else known to claim an interest.
Advertising the sale
After the second notice period expires unpaid, publish on a publicly accessible website identified in the rental agreement or a later notice, once a week for 2 consecutive weeks. In place of that, you may publish once in a newspaper of general circulation in the city or town of the facility. The ad must include the name of the person on whose account the goods are stored and the time and place of the sale. The sale must be at least 15 days after the final publication.
Late fee limits
Chapter 34-42 has no late fee provision and no cap. The lien covers rent, labor, insurance and other valid charges (34-42-3(a)). Put any late fee in the rental agreement, keep it modest, and ask your attorney whether it is enforceable.
Sale rules, surplus and records
The sale may be public or private, at the facility, the nearest suitable place, or online, and must match the notice. The owner may buy at the sale. A good faith purchaser takes free of the rights of persons against whom the lien was valid, even if you missed a step. But if you fail to comply, you are liable for damages, and a willful violation is liable for conversion.
Surplus: satisfy the lien from the proceeds and hold the balance for delivery on demand to the persons entitled. If it is unclaimed within 2 years of the sale, it goes to the state (the statute's wording is "eschew," which we read as escheat). Keep each notice, ad and bid.
Vehicles, boats and trailers
Personal property includes motor vehicles, watercraft, motorcycles, trailers and RVs. If the property is a titled vehicle of that kind, you may have it towed with no liability to you (34-42-4(m); 34-42-2(8)).
Active-duty military (SCRA)
We found no Rhode Island servicemember rule in chapter 34-42. Federal law adds protections, and you should check a tenant's military status before any sale. See 50 U.S.C. 3958 for the federal rule.
What we could not confirm
- The meaning of "verified electronic mail" is not defined.
- The ad start date is derived from the second notice period.
- The word "eschew" in the surplus rule is read as escheat to the state.
Common mistakes checklist
- Sending the first notice before day 5 or the second before day 14.
- A pay-by date less than 14 days after mailing the second notice.
- Selling before day 60 or less than 15 days after the final ad.
- Advertising on a website the rental agreement never named.
- Skipping notice to others known to claim an interest.
- Locking a tenant out on the day of default instead of day 1 or later.
- Treating a willful shortcut as harmless. It can mean conversion liability.
- Not checking active-duty status before the sale.
Tools and next steps
Plan your dates with the lien timeline calculator. Compare other states on the self storage lien laws hub. Read the self storage auction process guide for the full walk-through, and start from the lien notice template. If you want the dates tracked for you, see lien and auction management.
Sources and review
Last reviewed: October 19, 2026. Laws change, and courts read them differently. This is general information, not legal advice. Review every notice and sale with your attorney before you act.