At a Glance
| Question | Answer | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit limit? | 1 month's rent | Applies to all residential tenancies |
| Rent control? | No statewide | No municipalities have enacted rent control |
| Required notice to raise rent? | 30 days | For month-to-month tenancies |
| Lease required in writing? | Yes, for leases > 12 months | Shorter leases can be oral |
| Landlord entry notice? | 2 days | Reasonable notice required; 2 days is the statutory minimum |
Security Deposits
Rhode Island limits security deposits to 1 month's rent. Landlords may not charge more regardless of whether the unit is furnished or unfurnished.
Landlords must return the deposit within 20 days of the tenant vacating the unit, along with an itemized statement of any deductions. If the landlord fails to return the deposit or provide a proper accounting, the tenant may be entitled to recover double the amount wrongfully withheld.
cite: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19
Eviction Procedures
Rhode Island requires landlords to follow specific legal procedures to evict a tenant. Self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing belongings) are illegal.
Notice Requirements
- 5-Day Notice: For nonpayment of rent
- 20-Day Notice: For lease violations (with opportunity to cure)
- 30-Day Notice: For no-cause termination of a month-to-month tenancy
After the notice period expires, the landlord must file a complaint in district court to begin formal eviction proceedings. The tenant will receive a summons and an opportunity to present their case before a judge.
cite: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35–34-18-40
Rent Control
Rhode Island does not have a statewide rent control law. Landlords may generally set and raise rents as they see fit, provided they comply with lease terms and give proper notice for any increases.
No municipalities in Rhode Island have enacted local rent control ordinances. However, tenants are protected from rent increases that are retaliatory in nature (e.g., raising rent after a tenant files a housing complaint).
cite: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-1
Lease Agreements
Rhode Island does not require a written lease for tenancies of 12 months or less. However, any lease for longer than 12 months must be in writing to be enforceable under the Statute of Frauds.
Required Disclosures
Rhode Island landlords must provide the following disclosures:
- Lead-based paint (pre-1978 properties)
- Landlord identity: Name and address of the property owner and any authorized agent
- Code violations: Any known code violations affecting the unit
- Flood zone: Whether the property is located in a designated flood hazard area
- Fire safety: Information about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
cite: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-1–34-18-20
Tenant Rights
Rhode Island provides the following protections for tenants:
- Habitability: Landlords must maintain rental units in habitable condition, including working plumbing, heating, electricity, and structural integrity
- Retaliation protection: Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants who exercise their legal rights (e.g., reporting code violations, requesting repairs)
- Discrimination protection: Rhode Island fair housing laws prohibit discrimination based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, familial status, age, and other protected categories
- Right to privacy: Landlords must provide at least 2 days' notice before entering a tenant's unit, except in emergencies
- Repair and deduct: Tenants may make repairs and deduct the cost from rent if the landlord fails to address habitability issues after reasonable notice
- Domestic violence protections: Victims of domestic violence may request early lease termination without penalty