Tiverton council asks state lawmakers to let town place 20-year liens on mobile homes to collect unpaid property taxes

The Tiverton Town Council unanimously approved a resolution asking the state legislature to amend R.I. Gen. Laws 44-7-28 to add Tiverton to the list of towns authorized to place a 20-year lien on mobile homes for unpaid property taxes.

Town Solicitor explained that under current state classification mobile homes are treated as residential personal property and municipalities generally lack authority to foreclose because liens must attach to real estate. The solicitor said other towns (the resolution cited examples such as Exeter and Glocester in background comments) have statutory authority under 44-7-28 to place long-term liens directly on mobile homes, which creates a municipal enforcement mechanism when taxes go unpaid.

The resolution directs the town’s state delegation to pursue the legal change so Tiverton can use the lien process to recover delinquent taxes in mobile-home parks when appropriate. The council approved the measure by voice vote with unanimous support.

The action is a request to the General Assembly; it does not change local law until (and unless) state legislation authorizes Tiverton to use the lien mechanism.