§ 31-44.2-9. Auction of abandoned mobile or manufactured home. (a) If an order for removal of an abandoned mobile or manufactured home has been issued in accordance with § 31-44.2-5, the mobile or manufactured home may be sold at public auction. The purchaser of the mobile or manufactured home shall take title of the home free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership, shall receive a sales receipt and bill of sale, and shall be entitled to register the mobile or manufactured home.

(b) From the proceeds of the sale of abandoned mobile or manufactured home, the plaintiff shall reimburse itself the expenses of the auction, the costs of towing, preserving, and storing the mobile or manufactured home and all notices and publication costs incurred pursuant to this chapter. Any remainder from the proceeds of a sale shall be held for the owner of the mobile or manufactured home or entitled lienholder for ninety (90) days and then shall be deposited in a special abandoned mobile or manufactured home fund at the department of business regulation that shall remain available for the payment of auction, towing, preserving, storage, and all notice and publication costs that result from other abandoned mobile and manufactured homes, whenever the proceeds from a sale of the other abandoned mobile or manufactured homes are insufficient to meet these expenses and costs.

(c) Whenever the director finds that moneys in the abandoned mobile or manufactured home fund are in excess of reserves likely to be needed, he or she may transfer the excess to the general fund. But in the event there are additional claims against the abandoned mobile or manufactured home fund, or if the abandoned mobile or manufactured home fund is temporarily exhausted, these claims shall be met from the general fund to the limit of any transfers previously made to it pursuant to this chapter.

History of Section. (P.L. 2014, ch. 255, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 309, § 1.)