Renting in Rhode Island
Your rights as a tenant in Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, the security deposit can be up to 1 month of rent. What state law says about your deposit, the notices you must get, repairs and eviction. Every rule comes with its citation and the text of the law.
Key numbers in Rhode Island
- Maximum deposit
- Up to 1 month of rent
- R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19(a)
- To return your deposit
- 20 days
- R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19(b)
- Notice for late rent
- 5 days
- R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-35(a)
What the law says
The rules, one by one
The basic rules for renting in Rhode Island, answered with state law and its citation.
Tap “What the law says” to read the exact text and see where it comes from.
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How much can they charge for a deposit?
Up to 1 month of rent
In Rhode Island, a landlord cannot ask for or accept a security deposit of more than one month's rent, no matter what it is called.
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19(a)
“A landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess of one month’s periodic rent.”
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly – Rhode Island General Laws, Title 34, Chapter 18 · Verified on October 24, 2026
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When must they return my deposit?
20 days
When the tenancy ends, the landlord must give you a written list of deductions together with the deposit money owed to you. The landlord may only deduct unpaid rent, reasonable cleaning and trash removal, and damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. The landlord has 20 days, counted from whichever happens last: the end of the tenancy, the return of the home, or the day you give a forwarding address to receive the deposit.
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19(b)
“Upon termination of the tenancy, the amount of security deposit due to the tenant shall be the entire amount given by the tenant as a security deposit, minus any amount of unpaid accrued rent, the amount due, if any, for reasonable cleaning expenses, the amount due, if any, for reasonable trash disposal expenses and the amount of physical damages to the premises, other than ordinary wear and tear, that the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant’s noncompliance with § 34-18-24, all as itemized by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant. The landlord shall deliver the notice, together with the amount of the security deposit due to the tenant, within twenty (20) days after the later of either termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenant’s providing the landlord with a forwarding address for the purpose of receiving the security deposit.”
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly – Rhode Island General Laws, Title 34, Chapter 18 · Verified on October 24, 2026
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If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
5 days
When rent is 15 days behind, the landlord must send you a written notice that states how much you owe and demands it. The notice says that if you do not pay it all within 5 days of the date it was mailed, the rental agreement ends and the landlord will file an eviction case in court.
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-35(a)
“If any part of the stipulated rent is due and in arrears for fifteen (15) days, the landlord shall send a written notice, in a form substantially similar to that provided in § 34-18-56(a), specifying the amount of the rent which is fifteen (15) days in arrears, making demand for the rent, and notifying the tenant that unless he or she cures the breach within five (5) days of the date of mailing of the notice, the rental agreement shall terminate, and the landlord shall commence an eviction action in the appropriate district court or housing court.”
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly – Rhode Island General Laws, Title 34, Chapter 18 · Verified on October 24, 2026
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How much notice before a rent increase?
60 or 120 days, depending on the case
The landlord must give you written notice at least 60 days before a rent increase. If you rent month to month and are over 62, the notice is at least 120 days.
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-16.1(a)-(b)
“(a) Prior to an increase in rent being imposed by a landlord for a residential tenancy, excluding an independent living facility, assisted living facility, or congregate care facility, notice of the increase shall be given in writing to any tenant by a landlord at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of the increase. (b) A landlord of a residential tenancy, excluding an independent living facility, assisted living facility, or congregate care facility, shall give at least one hundred twenty (120) days’ notice to month-to-month tenants over the age of sixty-two (62) years, before raising the rent.”
Source: Rhode Island General Assembly – Rhode Island General Laws, Title 34, Chapter 18 · Verified on October 31, 2026
Protections
Protections the law gives you
We show only what state law says, with its citation. Your city may give you more protections.
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Only a court order can remove you
Yes: state law says so
A landlord may not take back your home on their own. The landlord also may not willfully cut off heat, running water, hot water, electric, gas or another essential service to get you out. The landlord can only recover the home if you abandon or surrender it, or as the landlord-tenant law permits.
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-44
“A landlord may not recover or take possession of the dwelling unit by action or otherwise, including willful diminution of services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of heat, running water, hot water, electric, gas, or other essential service to the tenant, except in case of abandonment, surrender, or as permitted in this chapter.”
Rhode Island General Assembly – Rhode Island General Laws, Title 34, Chapter 18
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Protection from retaliation
Yes: state law says so
A landlord may not raise your rent, cut services, or sue or threaten to evict you in retaliation because you complained to a government agency about a housing-code violation affecting health and safety, complained to the landlord about upkeep, joined a tenants' union, or used other legal rights. You can raise it as a defense to an eviction. If you complained within the 6 months before, the law presumes it is retaliation.
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-46(a)-(b)
“(a) Except as provided in this section, a landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession because: (1) The tenant has complained to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building or housing code of a violation applicable to the premises materially affecting health and safety; or (2) The tenant has complained to the landlord of a violation under § 34-18-22; or (3) The tenant has organized or become a member of a tenants’ union or similar organization; or (4) The tenant has availed himself or herself of any other lawful rights and remedies. (b) If the landlord acts in violation of subsection (a), the tenant is entitled to the remedies provided in § 34-18-34 and has a defense in any retaliatory action against him or her for possession. In an action by or against the tenant, evidence of a complaint within six (6) months before the alleged act of retaliation creates a presumption that the landlord’s conduct was in retaliation.”
Rhode Island General Assembly – Rhode Island General Laws, Title 34, Chapter 18
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Protection related to immigration status
Yes: state law says so
A landlord or the landlord's agent may not ask about your immigration or citizenship status, or that of anyone who lives or wants to live in the unit. The landlord also may not require you to make a statement or certification about your status. No city or housing agency may force the landlord to do so. The landlord may still comply with federal law and request information or documents to verify your finances or identity.
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-62
“(a) No landlord or any agent of the landlord shall: (1) Make any inquiry regarding or based on the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant, prospective tenant, occupant, or prospective occupant of residential rental property; or (2) Require that any tenant, prospective tenant, occupant, or prospective occupant of the rental property make any statement, representation, or certification concerning their immigration or citizenship status. (b) No municipality or housing agency shall compel a landlord or any agent of the landlord to make any inquiry, compile, disclose, report, or provide any information, prohibit offering or continuing to offer accommodations in the property for rent or lease, or otherwise take any action regarding or based on the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant, prospective tenant, occupant, or prospective occupant of residential rental property. (c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a landlord from: (1) Complying with any legal obligation under federal law; or (2) Requesting information or documentation necessary to determine or verify the financial qualifications of a prospective tenant, or to determine or verify the identity of a prospective tenant or prospective occupant.”
Rhode Island General Assembly – Rhode Island General Laws, Title 34, Chapter 18
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Repair and deduct from the rent
Yes: state law says so
If the landlord does not meet certain upkeep duties (housing codes, repairs to keep the home fit to live in, facilities and appliances, trash receptacles, water and heat) and the fix costs less than $500 in total per year, you may have the repair done in a skilled manner and to code, and deduct the cost from rent. This applies if you told the landlord you would fix it at the landlord's expense, the landlord did not comply within 20 days of your written notice (or show ongoing good-faith efforts), and you give the landlord an itemized statement of the cost. In an emergency, it applies if you cannot reach the landlord or the landlord does not fix it as promptly as conditions require.
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-30(a)
“(a) If the landlord fails to comply with § 34-18-22(a)(1), (2), (4), (5), or (6), and the reasonable cost of compliance is less than five hundred dollars ($500) in the aggregate per year, the tenant may cause repairs to be done in a skilled manner, in compliance with applicable state and local codes, and deduct from the tenant’s rent the actual and reasonable cost or the fair and reasonable value of the repairs if: (1) The tenant notifies the landlord of the tenant’s intention to correct the condition at the landlord’s expense; and (2) The landlord fails to comply within twenty (20) days, or fails to demonstrate ongoing, good faith efforts to comply, after being notified by the tenant in writing; or, in the case of emergency, the landlord either cannot be reached by the tenant, or the landlord fails to comply as promptly as conditions require; and (3) The tenant submits an itemized statement to the landlord of the cost or the fair and reasonable value of the repairs made.”
Rhode Island General Assembly – Rhode Island General Laws, Title 34, Chapter 18
Eviction
How an eviction works in Rhode Island
Step by step, with the time periods the law sets. No landlord can skip the court.
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Rent is 15 days in arrears
at least 15 days
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-35(a)
“If any part of the stipulated rent is due and in arrears for fifteen (15) days, the landlord shall send a written notice”
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5-day demand notice to pay the rent in arrears
at least 5 days
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-35(a)
“notifying the tenant that unless he or she cures the breach within five (5) days of the date of mailing of the notice, the rental agreement shall terminate, and the landlord shall commence an eviction action in the appropriate district court or housing court.”
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Landlord files the complaint, no earlier than the sixth day after mailing the notice
at least 6 days
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-35(b)
“If the tenant fails to cure his or her breach by paying the stipulated rent in arrears within five (5) days of the date of mailing of the notice, the landlord may commence an eviction action against the tenant, which shall be filed no earlier than the sixth (6th) day after mailing of the written demand notice.”
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Court sets the hearing 14 to 24 days after filing
14 to 24 days
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-10(a)(1)
“At the time of filing of the complaint, the clerk shall enter the date of hearing upon the summons, which shall be fourteen (14) to twenty-four (24) days after filing of the complaint.”
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Deputy sheriff or constable serves the summons at least 5 days before the hearing
at least 5 days
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-10(a)(2)
“The proof of service shall show the manner and the day, hour, and place of service, and shall show that the defendant was served no less than five (5) days before the hearing.”
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Hearing: you may file your answer before or at the hearing
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-35(c)
“The summons shall specify that the defendant may file and serve his or her answer prior to or at the time of hearing, and that if he or she fails to answer or appear at the hearing, he or she shall be defaulted.”
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Judgment for possession
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-35(d)
“Except as provided in this chapter, the landlord may recover possession and actual damages.”
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Appeal to Superior Court within 5 days after judgment
up to 5 days
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §§34-18-47, 9-12-10.1
“by claiming an appeal from the judgment of the district or other appropriate court, in writing, filed with the clerk of the division within five (5) days after the judgment is entered”
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Execution issues on the sixth day after judgment if there is no appeal
at least 6 days
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-48
“If no appeal is claimed, and if the judgment has not been satisfied, execution shall be issued on the sixth (6th) day following judgment.”
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The division of sheriffs or a certified constable carries out the execution
What the law says · R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-48
“Executions shall be issued to the division of sheriffs or certified constable.”
Free or low-cost legal help
If you get a notice or a court case, look for help early: the deadlines are short. These are official pages or pages the state courts link to.
Rents and rental help in Rhode Island- Rhode Island District Court – Landlord/Tenant Evictionscourts.ri.gov
- District Court – Landlord/Tenant Evictions FAQcourts.ri.gov
- Rhode Island Judiciary – Self-Help Centercourts.ri.gov
- Tenant's answer form in an eviction (DC-53)courts.ri.gov
- Rhode Island Judiciary – District Court formscourts.ri.gov
- Rhode Island Legal Services (legal help for people with low incomes)rils.org
- Rhode Island Center for Justicecenterforjustice.org
- Recognized Organizations and Accredited Representatives Roster (EOIR, DOJ)justice.gov
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a deposit in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, a landlord cannot ask for or accept a security deposit of more than one month's rent, no matter what it is called. (R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19(a))
When must a deposit be returned in Rhode Island?
When the tenancy ends, the landlord must give you a written list of deductions together with the deposit money owed to you. The landlord may only deduct unpaid rent, reasonable cleaning and trash removal, and damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. The landlord has 20 days, counted from whichever happens last: the end of the tenancy, the return of the home, or the day you give a forwarding address to receive the deposit. (R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19(b))
What notice is required for late rent in Rhode Island?
When rent is 15 days behind, the landlord must send you a written notice that states how much you owe and demands it. The notice says that if you do not pay it all within 5 days of the date it was mailed, the rental agreement ends and the landlord will file an eviction case in court. (R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-35(a))
How much notice before a rent increase in Rhode Island?
The landlord must give you written notice at least 60 days before a rent increase. If you rent month to month and are over 62, the notice is at least 120 days. (R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-16.1(a)-(b))
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
Pending
What is left to verify
We have not yet verified these Rhode Island rules in the law with their citation, so we do not show them. If you need them today, ask for free legal aid.
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental? Not verified yet
- Are there limits on late fees? Not verified yet