Selling landlocked land in Rhode Island
Yes, you can sell landlocked land in Rhode Island. Liberty Acres buys land without road access, as-is. If you would rather create access first, Rhode Island law gives landowners a path, but it takes time and money.
Request an offerHow Rhode Island law handles land with no road access
Rhode Island has no landlocked-access statute that could be confirmed. Courts allow an easement by necessity only when the parcel and the neighbor's land were once under one owner and access was needed when they were split.
Common-law route: Easement by necessity recognized narrowly; requires prior common ownership (unity of title) and necessity at severance.
Court routes take time and cost money. Ask a local attorney.
Your options as a landlocked owner
- Ask a neighbor to sell or grant an access easement, in writing and recorded.
- Offer the land to the neighbor who borders it. They are often the most natural buyer.
- Use the Rhode Island legal route above to create access, then sell.
- Sell as-is to a cash buyer who accepts land without access.
Rhode Island land at a glance
- Average farm real estate value: $23,600 per acre (2026, USDA).
- Average property tax on farmland: about $104.59 per acre per year (2022 Census of Agriculture).
- Transfer tax: $3.75 per $500 of consideration (0.75%), including liens remaining. Residential property sold for over $800,000 (indexed to inflation from 2026) adds $3.75 per $500 on the excess. Little Compton and New Shoreham (Block Island) add their own land trust transfer taxes of several percent.
- Seller disclosure: Rhode Island requires sellers to give a written disclosure of known deficient conditions before signing a sale agreement. The law includes a separate, shorter vacant land form.
These are statewide averages, not an appraisal. See selling land in Rhode Island for county values, or try the land value estimator.
How a cash sale handles this
Liberty Acres is a family-owned cash land buyer. We buy land anywhere in the US, in any condition, including land with back taxes, inherited land and land with no road access. We pay back taxes and all closing costs, use no agents and charge no commissions, and close through a title company, escrow company or real estate attorney who pays you by wire or check.
Common questions
Can you sell landlocked land in Rhode Island?
Yes. Buyers who need a loan or want to build will usually pass, but a cash buyer can buy it as-is. Liberty Acres buys landlocked land.
How do you get access to landlocked land in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has no landlocked-access statute that could be confirmed. Courts allow an easement by necessity only when the parcel and the neighbor's land were once under one owner and access was needed when they were split.
Should I fix access before selling?
Only if the time and cost make sense. A court or neighbor deal can take months. Compare that with a cash offer for the land as it is.
Sources
State rules last checked 2026-10-13. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules vary by state, so talk to a local attorney or CPA about your situation.