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Rhode Island

A Rhode Island lease agreement is a formal document utilized by landlords to rent their property to tenants. This agreement establishes the terms of the rental arrangement and includes essential details such as the property’s address, contact information for both parties, pet policies, health and safety risks, and specifics regarding rent.

SimpleBasicLease_Rhode-Island

SimpleBasicLease_Rhode-Island

Rental Lease Laws Overview

In Rhode Island, several key rental lease laws govern the relationship between landlords and tenants:

  • Rent Control: There is no rent control in the state.
  • Limit on Late Fees: There is no statutory limit on late fees.
  • Late Fees in Rental Agreement: Landlords may include late fees in the rental agreement.
  • Grace Period: A grace period is required.
  • License Required for Landlord: No license is required for landlords.

Landlords typically use a rental application to evaluate potential tenants before entering into a lease agreement.

Required Lease Disclosures

Landlords in Rhode Island must include specific disclosures in their lease agreements:

  • Identification: Landlords are required to provide the names of all individuals managing the property, as well as the property owners’ information and any authorized representatives for legal correspondence.
  • Code Violations: Landlords must inform tenants of any outstanding minimum housing code violations, if applicable.
  • Lead-Based Paint Disclosure: If the property was constructed before 1978, landlords must disclose any lead-based paint hazards.

Security Deposit

The regulations regarding security deposits in Rhode Island are as follows:

  • Maximum Amount: Landlords can charge a security deposit of up to one month’s rent.
  • Receipts: There are no specified requirements for providing receipts.
  • Interest Payments: Landlords are not required to pay interest on security deposits.
  • Bank Account: There is no requirement for landlords to maintain a separate bank account for security deposits.
  • Returning Requirements: Landlords must return the security deposit within 20 days of the latest of the following events: termination of the tenancy, the tenant delivering possession of the property, or the tenant providing a new forwarding address.
  • Withholding Rules: Landlords can withhold amounts for unpaid rent or reasonable costs for cleaning, trash disposal, and damages (excluding ordinary wear and tear). They must itemize each expense and provide written notice to the tenant.

Rent Payments

The rules governing rent payments in Rhode Island include:

  • Laws: Rent is due at the rental unit at the beginning of the month unless otherwise specified in the lease.
  • Rent Control: There is no state law limiting the amount of rent that can be charged. Rent increases can only occur at the end of a standard lease or in a month-to-month tenancy, with landlords required to provide 30 days’ notice (or 60 days if the tenant is over 62) for any rent increase.
  • Retaliation: Landlords are prohibited from raising rent for retaliatory reasons.
  • Late Fees and Grace Period: While there are no restrictions on the amount of late fees, landlords must provide a 15-day grace period. If rent is not paid within this period, landlords may issue a 5-day notice to quit for non-payment.
  • Withholding Rent: Tenants may make repairs costing less than $500 and deduct those costs from their rent, provided they give proper notice and an itemized statement, and the landlord fails to comply within 20 days.

Landlord Right of Entry

Landlords have specific rights regarding entry into rental properties:

  • Notice Requirements: Landlords must provide at least two days’ advance notice to tenants before entering the rental property and may only enter at reasonable times. In emergencies, landlords can enter without prior notice.

Property Repairs

The responsibilities concerning property repairs are outlined as follows:

  • Landlord Responsibilities: Landlords are responsible for performing all necessary repairs and maintaining the premises in a fit and habitable condition.
  • Tenant Repairs: Tenants are expected to keep plumbing fixtures clean, use all systems and appliances reasonably, and refrain from intentionally damaging the premises.
  • Abandonment: Leases may require tenants to notify landlords if they will be absent from the property for more than ten days. If tenants fail to maintain utilities and breach the lease, landlords can issue a 20-day notice to quit for non-compliance.

Terminating a Lease

The procedures for terminating a lease in Rhode Island include:

  • Month-to-Month Tenancy: Landlords can terminate a month-to-month tenancy by providing a 30-day notice.
  • Unclaimed Property: If a tenant abandons property, landlords are required to store the items for a reasonable period and make a good-faith effort to contact the tenant. If personal property is removed due to eviction, the tenant is responsible for moving and storage costs.

Statutes

FAQs

In Rhode Island, landlords must include several disclosures in lease agreements, such as the identification of all individuals managing the premises, any outstanding minimum housing code violations, and a lead-based paint disclosure if the property was built before 1978.

A landlord in Rhode Island can charge a maximum security deposit of one month’s rent. The deposit must be returned within 20 days after the tenancy ends or the tenant provides a forwarding address.

A landlord must provide at least two days’ advance notice to a tenant before entering the rental property, except in emergencies where prior notice is not required.

Rhode Island does not limit the amount landlords can charge for late fees, but they must provide a grace period of 15 days. If rent is not paid within this period, the landlord can issue a 5-day notice to quit for non-payment.

Yes, a tenant in Rhode Island can withhold rent for repairs under $500 if they provide proper notice and an itemized statement. The landlord must fail to comply with the repair request within 20 days for this to be valid.

If a tenant abandons their property in Rhode Island, the landlord must store the tenant’s items for a reasonable period and make a good-faith effort to contact them. If the tenant was evicted, they must pay for moving and storage costs.

In Rhode Island, a landlord can only raise the rent at the end of a standard lease or during a month-to-month tenancy. They must provide 30 days’ notice for rent increases, or 60 days if the tenant is over 62 years old.