Answer:  Title insurance protects a policyholder against challenges to rightful ownership of real property, challenges that arise from circumstances of past ownerships.  You should remember that title to your real estate doesn’t begin when a house is built on the land; it is the title to the land itself that you are purchasing.  If a claim is made against your insured title, A Title Insurance Company protects you by: (1) Defending your title, in court if necessary, at no cost to you, and (2) Bearing the cost of settling the case, if it proves valid, in order to protect your title and maintain your possession of your property.  An owner’s title policy, once purchased, does not have to be renewed nor does it expire as long as the same owners own the property.

Answer:  In Rhode Island a buyer or borrower has a legal statutory right to choose his or her own title attorney.  It is a violation of Rhode Island General Laws for anyone to inform a real estate consumer that they have to use a specific title attorney or a lender’s attorney.  This law applies to purchases, refinances, residential and commercial closings.  Remember, that only an attorney of your choice represents your interests.

Answer: No, self-help and lockouts are illegal in Rhode Island. There is a fast track eviction process for nonpayment of rent that an attorney can initiate in which you will receive a hearing within 9 days of filing in District Court.