RI
Rhode Island Landlord-Tenant Laws
Security Deposit Limit in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Maximum 1 month's periodic rent
- Cannot charge both security deposit and last month's rent
- Furnished units (furniture >$5,000): additional 1-month furniture deposit allowed
- No separate pet deposits beyond the one-month limit
- Service animals cannot be charged deposits
- +1 more requirements
Security Deposit Storage in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- No separate account required
- No interest payment required
- No disclosure of account location required
- Must transfer deposit to new owner upon sale
- New owner becomes responsible for return
- +1 more requirements
Security Deposit Return in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- 20 days after later of: termination, possession delivery, or forwarding address
- Must include written itemized notice of deductions
- Hand-deliver or mail to last known address
- Same timeline applies to furniture deposits
- Itemization must detail all deductions
- +1 more requirements
Security Deposit Deductions in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Only 4 permitted categories: rent, cleaning, trash, physical damages
- Cannot deduct for normal wear and tear
- Must be reasonable amounts
- Must provide itemized written notice
- Landlord bears burden of proof if disputed
- +1 more requirements
Penalties for Wrongful Withholding in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Up to 2x the amount wrongfully withheld
- Reasonable attorney's fees recoverable
- Court costs recoverable
- Small Claims Court available
- Applies to both regular and furniture deposits
- +1 more requirements
Rent Increase Notice Requirements in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified in lease or by statute
✅ Key Requirements
- 60 days' notice for tenants under age 62
- 120 days' notice for tenants age 62 and older
- Must be in writing
- Cannot increase during fixed lease term without lease provision
- No statewide rent control
- +1 more requirements
Application Fees and Screening Costs in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Application fees generally prohibited
- Can charge actual cost of credit report
- Can charge actual cost of criminal background check
- Must accept tenant-provided reports within 90 days
- Cannot charge for duplicate reports
- +1 more requirements
Late Rent and Late Fees in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- No mandatory grace period
- Rent late immediately after due date
- Cannot send eviction notice until 15+ days late
- No statutory cap on late fees
- Fees must be reasonable (4-5% common)
- +1 more requirements
Eviction for Nonpayment of Rent in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Rent must be 15+ days in arrears
- Must send 5-day written demand notice
- Notice must specify amount owed
- Can file on 6th day after mailing notice
- Tenant can cure by paying full arrears within 5 days
- +2 more requirements
Eviction for Lease Violations in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- 20-day notice to cure for first violations
- Must specify violation and cure requirements
- Termination date minimum 21 days from mailing
- Repeat violations within 6 months: unconditional 20-day notice
- Immediate termination for drugs, violence, criminal activity
- +1 more requirements
No-Cause Termination in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- 30 days' written notice for month-to-month tenancies
- Must specify termination date
- Tenant continues paying rent until termination
- Cannot be retaliatory or discriminatory
- Fixed-term leases expire without notice
- +1 more requirements
Eviction Process Overview in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Must provide proper written notice first
- File in District or Housing Court
- Pay filing and service fees
- Tenant must be properly served
- Court hearing required
- +3 more requirements
Illegal Eviction Actions in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Lockouts and self-help prohibited
- Cannot shut off utilities
- Cannot remove tenant belongings without court order
- Tenant can recover 3 months rent OR 3x damages (whichever greater)
- Tenant can recover attorney fees
- +2 more requirements
Habitability Requirements in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Must meet State Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code
- Must meet local city/town housing codes
- Safe heating, electrical, plumbing required
- Working hot and cold water required
- Garbage facilities required
- +3 more requirements
Tenant Repair Rights in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
14 days after lease termination or as specified
✅ Key Requirements
- $125 maximum for general repairs
- Unlimited for heat, water, hot water, electricity, essential services
- Must give written notice to landlord first
- Must allow reasonable time for landlord to repair
- Must provide receipts and documentation
- +2 more requirements
Landlord Entry Rights in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Minimum 2 days' advance notice required (non-emergency)
- Must enter at reasonable times
- Can enter without notice in emergencies
- Must have legitimate purpose
- With tenant's consent at any time
- +2 more requirements
Lease Termination by Tenant in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
30 days after lease termination or as specified
✅ Key Requirements
- Month-to-month: 30 days' written notice
- Week-to-week: 10 days' written notice
- Fixed-term: expires without notice
- Notice must be in writing
- Early termination generally requires paying remaining rent
- +2 more requirements
Retaliation Protections in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Cannot retaliate for exercising legal rights
- Cannot retaliate for calling code enforcement
- Cannot retaliate for tenant organizing
- Courts may presume retaliation if timing suspicious
- Tenant can raise as defense to eviction
- +2 more requirements
Discrimination Protections in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- 13+ protected classes under state law
- Federal Fair Housing Act also applies
- Cannot discriminate in advertising, showing, renting
- Must provide reasonable accommodations for disabilities
- Must allow reasonable modifications for disabilities
- +2 more requirements
Required Disclosures in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Owner/management contact information in writing
- General liability insurance declaration page
- Lead paint disclosure for pre-1978 properties
- Foreclosure notice if 120+ days delinquent on mortgage
- Nonresident landlords must designate RI agent
- +1 more requirements
Tenant Duties in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Pay rent on time
- Keep unit clean and safe
- Use facilities properly
- No deliberate damage
- Control guests' behavior
- +4 more requirements
Legal Remedies for Tenants in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Small claims for amounts up to $2,500
- District/Housing Court for larger amounts
- Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights for discrimination
- Can recover attorney fees in many cases
- Legal aid available for low-income tenants
- +2 more requirements
Eviction Record Sealing in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Eviction records may be sealed under certain circumstances
- Available for dismissed cases and tenant victories
- Must file motion with court
- Judge decides whether to grant sealing
- Sealed records removed from public access
- +2 more requirements
Providence and Warwick Absentee Landlord Rules in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Special rules for Providence and Warwick
- Absentee landlords subject to enhanced enforcement
- May require additional registration
- Must designate local agent
- Enhanced inspection protocols
- +2 more requirements
Statewide Rental Registry in Rhode Island
⏰ Timeline
As specified by law
✅ Key Requirements
- Statewide mandatory rental registry
- All rental properties must be registered
- Online registration system
- Annual renewal required
- Must keep information current
- +2 more requirements