2016 -- H 7673

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LC003566

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- MAINTENANCE OF PRIVATE EASEMENTS AND RIGHTS-

OF-WAY

     Introduced By: Representatives Filippi, Chippendale, Price, Fogarty, and Giarrusso

     Date Introduced: February 24, 2016

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Title 34 of the General Laws entitled "PROPERTY" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 9.1

MAINTENANCE OF PRIVATE EASEMENTS AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY

     34-9.1-1. Definitions. -- As used in this chapter:

     (1) "Benefited property" or "property that benefits" means and includes residential real

property enjoying the use of an easement or right-of-way; and

     (2) "Easement" or "right-of-way" means a private appurtenant easement or right-of-way.

     (3) "Residential real property" means one to four (4) family residential real estate located

in this state, but does not include property owned by the state or any political subdivision thereof;

     34-9.1-2. Maintenance of private easements and rights-of-way. -- (a) In the absence of

a written agreement to the contrary, the owner of any residential real property that benefits from

an easement or right-of-way, the purpose of which is to provide access to such residential real

property, shall be responsible for the cost of maintaining such easement or right-of-way in good

repair and the cost of repairing or restoring any damaged portion of such easement or right-of-

way. Such maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, the removal of snow from such

easement or right-of -way.

     (b) If more than one residential real property benefits from such easement or right-of-

way, the cost of maintaining and repairing or restoring such easement or right-of-way shall be

shared by each owner of a benefited property, pursuant to the terms of any enforceable written

agreement entered into for such purpose. In the absence of such agreement, the cost of

maintaining and repairing or restoring such easement or right-of-way shall be shared by each

owner of a benefited property in proportion to the benefit received by each such property,

provided that the market value or assessed valuation of each such property shall not be taken into

consideration in the calculation of benefit received.

     (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, any owner of

a benefited property who directly or indirectly damages any portion of the easement or right-of-

way shall be solely responsible for repairing or restoring the portion damaged by such owner.

     (d) If any owner of a benefited property refuses to repair or restore a damaged portion of

an easement or right-of-way in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, or fails, after a

demand in writing, to pay such owner's proportion of the cost of maintaining or repairing or

restoring such easement or right-of-way in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, an

action for specific performance or contribution may be brought in the superior court against such

owner by other owners of benefited properties, either jointly or severally.

     (e) In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this section and an agreement

described in subsection (b) of this section, the terms of the agreement shall control.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- MAINTENANCE OF PRIVATE EASEMENTS AND RIGHTS-

OF-WAY

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     This act would establish the rights and obligations of property owners concerning the

maintenance of private easements and rights-of-way.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC003566

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