Rhode Island General Laws Title 45. Towns and Cities § 45-24.2-12. Moving expenses--Violations

(a) If any property owner is cited for minimum housing violations, causing a tenant to vacate the subject property as a result of the property being declared unfit for habitation by the local code enforcement agency vested with the authority, the owner is liable to the tenant for all reasonable moving expenses incurred by the tenant. The owner is not responsible for this expense if it is determined that the owner was not the cause of the violations, and has the right to appeal any citation or declaration in accordance with the provisions of § 45-24.2-5(b).

(b) This section does not apply to any secured party which takes title to the property by enforcement of its interests.