Rhode Island Statutes

In Rhode Island, landlord-tenant relationships are governed by the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, codified in Title 34, Chapter 18 of the Rhode Island General Laws. These laws address rental agreements, required disclosures, habitability standards, and eviction procedures. There are also specific provisions for victims of domestic abuse. Each section is outlined and linked below.

R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13 – Limitation of actions generally – Product liability
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a) – Security deposits
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(c) – Security deposits
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b – Security deposits
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-15(c) – [Effective 1/1/2025] Terms and conditions of rental agreement
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-15(5) – [Effective 1/1/2025] Terms and conditions of rental agreement
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1 – Rent increases – notice requirements
R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-42-3 – Cause of action – Damages
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-31 – Wrongful failure to supply heat, water, hot water, or essential services
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-30 – Self-help for limited repairs
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-38 – Eviction for unlawfully holding over after termination or expiration of tenancy
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-40 – Remedies for abandonment
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-15(e) – [Effective 1/1/2025] Terms and conditions of rental agreement
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-15(4) – [Effective 1/1/2025] Terms and conditions of rental agreement
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-56 – Notices and complaint forms
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37(a) – Termination of periodic tenancy
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37(b) – Termination of periodic tenancy
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37(c) – Termination of periodic tenancy
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36(f) – Eviction for noncompliance with rental agreement
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36 – Eviction for noncompliance with rental agreement
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-39 – Failure to maintain
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35 – Eviction for nonpayment of rent
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-26(a) – Access
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-26(b) – Access
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-26(c) – Access
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-27 – Tenant to use and occupy
R.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-34 – Tenant’s remedies for landlord’s unlawful ouster, exclusion, or diminution of service
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-20 – Disclosure
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22.1 – Landlord’s duty to notify tenant of violation
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-37-1 – Finding and declaration of policy
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22 – Landlord to maintain premises
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-24 – Tenant to maintain dwelling unit
R.I. Gen. Laws § 21-28-4.06 – Prohibited acts F – Places used for unlawful sale, use, or keeping of controlled substances
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46 – Retaliatory conduct prohibited
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22.2 – Landlord’s duty regarding compliance with zoning and minimum housing laws
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-57 – Providence and Warwick Absentee Landlord Enforcement Act
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-13 – Limitation of actions generally – Product liability
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1 – Rent Increase Notice
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-59 – Fair limitation on rental application fees
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-21 – Landlord to deliver possession of dwelling unit