States
Rhode Island special assessments: what your board must do.
Condo law gives owners 30-day records access; no assessment vote found.
Why Rhode Island owners are getting these bills
If the association insures the units, you must carry, to the extent reasonably available, insurance for improvements you add after the first sale (if the association does not cover them) and for the policy deductible. If you do not comply, you are responsible for the association policy deductible for your unit after a loss. The association must give owners written notice of the deductible amount, and this section was amended in 2022 and 2025.
R.I. Gen. Laws 34-36.1-3.13(d)(4), (k)Does the board need an owner vote?
In the sections cited, Rhode Island's Condominium Law sets no owner vote on special assessments: the association adopts budgets and assessments are based on a budget adopted at least annually. Owners holding 20% of the votes (or a lower percentage if the bylaws say) can require the board to call a special meeting for a stated purpose such as rejecting the budget, but those sections set no rejection mechanism. Section 3.15 applies only to condominiums created after 1 July 1982.
R.I. Gen. Laws 34-36.1-3.15; 34-36.1-3.02(a)(2); 34-36.1-3.08(a)What notice must owners get?
Notice of any owners' meeting must be hand delivered or mailed 10 to 60 days ahead, and it must state the time, place and agenda, including any budget changes. The sections cited set no separate notice for adopting a special assessment. Email or website notice is allowed only if you consented in writing.
R.I. Gen. Laws 34-36.1-3.08(a), (b), (e)Your right to see the records
All financial and other association records must be made reasonably available for examination within 30 days of a request by any unit owner or the owner's authorized agent. This section applies to older condominiums too, for events after 1 July 1982.
R.I. Gen. Laws 34-36.1-3.18Payment plans, late fees and liens
Interest on late assessments cannot exceed 21% a year (for condominiums created after 1 July 1982). When any share has been delinquent for 60 days the association must first send you a notice of the amount by certified mail, return receipt requested, and by first class mail. A foreclosure sale needs certified-mail notice to you at least 20 days before the sale notice is published, and you can request a statement of what you owe, due within 10 business days.
R.I. Gen. Laws 34-36.1-3.15(b); 3.16(b)(4), (h); 3.21(a)In Rhode Island, the same rules cover condos and HOAs.
Summarised from the statutes in November 2026. Not legal advice; your declaration and bylaws may add more rules.