R.I. Gen. Laws § 44-9-25.3 — Expedited foreclosure of the rights of redemption on account of vacancy

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 44-9-25 and 44-9-25.1 following a sale of property for taxes or fees, whomever then holds the title thereby
acquired may bring a petition to the superior court for the foreclosure of all rights
of redemption after the passage of sixty (60) days from the date of recording of the
tax sale deed upon a finding by the superior court that the structure(s) thereon are
vacant and either vandalized and/or in a non-code compliant condition. A certificate
from the local building official attesting to the vacant and vandalized and/or non-code
compliant condition of the structure(s) shall be prima facie evidence of the condition,
but additional evidence may be presented to the court to affirm the conditions alleged
in the petition. A municipality, by and through its building official, may choose
to issue a certificate as referenced in this section, however, neither a municipality
nor its building official are obligated under this section to issue said certificate.
The issuance of said certificate is discretionary and not mandatory.
(b) In the event that a petition to foreclose the right of redemption is filed under the
provisions of this section, notice of the filing of the petition shall be given to
the taxing authority that conducted the sale by in person service, upon the taxing
authority’s collector, thereby ending the period during which the taxpayer may redeem
through the taxing authority.
(c) A petitioner who has utilized this expedited foreclosure process shall commence, or
cause to be commenced, substantial rehabilitation of the structure(s) on the parcel
within six (6) months following the entry of the final foreclosure decree or be immediately
subject to the non-utilization penalty set forth in chapter 5.1 of title 44.