Complete Guide to Rhode Island Tenant Rights in 2025
Hannah & Timothy
H&T Homes
Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act provides comprehensive protections for renters. With recent updates in 2025, understanding your rights is more important than ever for maintaining a safe rental experience and protecting yourself from unfair practices.
Right to Habitable Housing
What "Habitable" Means Under Rhode Island Law
Under R.I.G.L. § 34-18-16, landlords must maintain rental properties in habitable condition. This includes:
Structural Requirements
- • Sound roof, walls, and foundation
- • Functioning doors and windows with locks
- • Adequate structural support
- • Safe stairs and railings
- • Proper ventilation in all rooms
Essential Services
- • Hot and cold running water
- • Functioning plumbing and sewage systems
- • Adequate heating (68°F minimum)
- • Electrical systems that meet safety codes
- • Proper garbage disposal access
Enforcement of Habitability Rights
If your landlord fails to maintain habitable conditions, Rhode Island law provides several remedies:
Step-by-Step Process:
- Written Notice: Provide written notice to your landlord describing the problem
- 20-Day Wait: Give landlord 20 days to make repairs (shorter for emergencies)
- Legal Remedies: If repairs aren't made, you can:
- Withhold rent until repairs are completed
- Make repairs yourself and deduct costs (up to one month's rent)
- Terminate the lease without penalty
- Sue for damages in housing court
Security Deposit Rights
2025 Security Deposit Laws
Rhode Island has specific laws governing security deposits that protect tenants from unfair withholding:
Deposit Limits
- Standard Rental: Maximum 1 month's rent
- Furnished Rental: Up to 2 months' rent if furniture value exceeds $5,000
- No Additional Fees: Landlords cannot charge extra "cleaning deposits" or similar fees
Return Timeline
- 20 Days: Maximum time to return deposit after lease ends
- Written Statement: Must include itemized list of any deductions
- Forwarding Address: You must provide where to send deposit
Legal Deductions vs. Illegal Withholding
✓ Legal Deductions
- • Unpaid rent
- • Damage beyond normal wear and tear
- • Reasonable cleaning costs
- • Trash disposal costs
✗ Illegal Deductions
- • Normal wear and tear
- • Painting (unless damage)
- • Carpet cleaning (normal use)
- • Routine maintenance
Privacy and Entry Rights
Landlord Entry Requirements
Rhode Island law protects your right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of your rental. Landlords must follow specific rules for entering your unit:
Required Notice Periods:
- Non-Emergency Entry: Reasonable notice (typically 24-48 hours) for:
- Routine inspections
- Showing property to prospective tenants/buyers
- Making repairs (non-emergency)
- Emergency Entry: No notice required for:
- Fire, flood, or gas leaks
- Situations threatening health or safety
- Reasonable belief that tenant has abandoned the unit
Reasonable Times for Entry
Even with proper notice, landlords can only enter during reasonable hours (typically 8 AM to 6 PM) unless it's an emergency or you agree to another time.
Anti-Discrimination Protections
Protected Classes Under Rhode Island Law
Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act provides broader protections than federal law:
Federal Protections
- • Race
- • Color
- • Religion
- • Sex
- • National origin
- • Familial status
- • Disability
Additional RI Protections
- • Age (40+)
- • Sexual orientation
- • Gender identity
- • Marital status
- • Domestic abuse victim status
Housing for Older Persons
- • 55+ communities
- • 62+ housing
- • Special exemptions apply
Filing Discrimination Complaints
Where to File:
- Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights: 180 days to file
- U.S. Department of HUD: 365 days to file
- Federal Court: Up to 2 years for some violations
Contact: RI Commission for Human Rights at (401) 222-2661
Eviction Protections
Legal Grounds for Eviction
Rhode Island landlords can only evict tenants for specific legal reasons and must follow proper procedures:
Valid Eviction Reasons & Required Notice:
- Non-payment of rent: 5-day notice to pay or quit (after 15-day grace period)
- Lease violations: 20-day notice to cure or quit
- Illegal activities: Immediate notice for activities threatening health/safety
- End of tenancy:
- Week-to-week: 10 days notice
- Month-to-month: 30 days notice
- Year-to-year: 90 days notice
Eviction Process and Tenant Rights
Your Rights During Eviction:
- • Right to receive proper written notice
- • Right to contest the eviction in court
- • Right to legal representation
- • Right to raise defenses (poor conditions, discrimination, etc.)
- • Right to request reasonable accommodation if disabled
Retaliation Protections
What Constitutes Illegal Retaliation
Under R.I.G.L. § 34-18-32, landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for exercising their legal rights:
Protected Activities
- • Reporting code violations
- • Requesting repairs
- • Joining tenant organizations
- • Filing complaints with housing authorities
- • Testifying in landlord-tenant proceedings
Retaliatory Actions (Illegal)
- • Increasing rent
- • Decreasing services
- • Threatening eviction
- • Filing eviction proceedings
- • Harassment or intimidation
New 2025 Lease Disclosure Requirements
Enhanced Fee Transparency
New for 2025, Rhode Island landlords must provide enhanced disclosures about fees and costs:
Required Disclosures:
- • All fees beyond rent must be disclosed in the same lease section as rent
- • Utility arrangements must be clearly specified
- • Renters insurance requirements must be stated
- • Any changes to fees require 30 days written notice
Where to Get Help
Legal Resources and Assistance
Free Legal Help
- Rhode Island Legal Services:
Call (401) 274-2652 - HousingWorks RI:
Tenant counseling and advocacy - Rhode Island Center for Justice:
Legal aid for housing issues
Government Resources
- RI Commission for Human Rights:
(401) 222-2661 - RI Department of Housing:
housing.ri.gov - Local Housing Authorities:
City-specific assistance
Know Your Rights, Use Your Voice
Understanding your tenant rights is the first step to ensuring a safe and fair rental experience. At H&T Homes, we believe in transparency and following all Rhode Island tenant protection laws. If you have questions about your rights or need guidance on a rental issue, don't hesitate to reach out.