You might check the statute to see if it includes safekeeping of the property.Do you have any invoice from a company to prove the expense.I'm thinking you can't probably pay yourself.I say control the transaction....Have your title attorney prepared the closing statement, include the charge and the invoice from a 3rd part, threaten not to close if they don't sign and pay for it....if it is worth it to you. 

If so, where could I find support for such a requirement in the Rhode Island code of laws/statutes/etc.? 

@Anthony Petrarca, Your accountant is so wrong :) First of all, as @Stanley Bronstein said, the 1031 is a federal statute and everything hinges on the tax return that your LLC files or if it is a disregarded entity, your own return. 

@Walker Hinshaw It's actually 8 years according to my legal counsel, buy yes you are correct that the apartments can be converted after the statute of limitations expires.  

I have already looked into "The Wisconsin Way" and Wisconsin statutes regarding landlords/tenants.

If you were to sue for damages, as opposed to be sued, you'd be well within statute of limitations.

In "modern" D-T practice, "When no sale has actually been held ... the trustee is entitled to such compensation..." by statute.

You can still get paid both sides as a listing broker even if dual agency is illegal in that state.You simply state in the contract you are representing the seller and that the buyer is a "customer" and not a "client" for which you will be providing "ministerial acts" only.Those ministerial acts are usually defined in that states statute codes and also through the local state real estate commission.No legal advice.

Attorneys' fees are generally not recoverable unless there is a statute that allows it or you put it in your contract.

The statute does not specify.