Rhode Island Landlord-Tenant Law
Know your rights as a renter in Rhode Island. This guide covers security deposits, landlord entry, rent increases, eviction protections, and more under Rhode Island law.
Legal basis: Rhode Island landlord-tenant law — Rhode Island General Laws
20
Days to Return Deposit
1 month's rent
Max Deposit
2 days
Entry Notice
Not Required
Deposit Escrow
What Rhode Island law says about deposits
Maximum Deposit
1 month's rent
Return Deadline
20 daysafter the latest of the tenancy ending, possession being returned, or the tenant giving a forwarding address
Penalties, interest & late-fee rules under Rhode Island law
If your deposit is wrongfully or late returned
Landlord who wrongfully withholds may owe double the deposit amount.
Interest on your deposit is not required
Grace period
Rhode Island law sets no late-fee grace period (the 15 days in § 34-18-35 concern eviction demands)
Must be in the lease
Yes — a late fee is only enforceable if it is written into your lease
Your privacy protections
Required Notice Period
2 days
In Rhode Island, your landlord must give this notice before entering your rental unit, except in genuine emergencies. This protects your right to privacy and peaceful enjoyment of your home.
Exceptions: Landlords may enter without notice in cases of emergency (fire, flooding, etc.) or if you've abandoned the property.
60 days notice
Legal basis: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1
20 days after written notice
Legal basis: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-22, 34-18-28, 34-18-30, 34-18-31
Protected
Legal basis: RI Gen Laws § 34-18-46
Move out within 30 days
Legal basis: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-63
Self-help illegal
Legal basis: RI Gen Laws § 34-18-34
Important facts about Rhode Island rental law
Rhode Island limits security deposits to 1 month's rent.
Rhode Island landlords must return deposits within 20 days of move-out.
Rhode Island requires landlords to provide a signed receipt for deposits.
Rhode Island tenants have strong protections against retaliatory evictions.
Something else? Contact our team
In Rhode Island, the security deposit limit is 1 month's rent.
Rhode Island landlords must return security deposits within 20 days after you move out (after the latest of the tenancy ending, possession being returned, or the tenant giving a forwarding address).
In Rhode Island, landlords must give 2 days' notice before entering your rental unit.
Late fees in Rhode Island: No statutory cap. Rhode Island law sets no late-fee grace period (the 15 days in § 34-18-35 concern eviction demands).
60 days notice. 60 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1(a)). 120 days for month-to-month tenants over 62 (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1(b)). No statewide rent cap. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1.
20 days after written notice. Landlord must keep the home fit and habitable and supply running water, hot water and heat (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22). Not fixed within 20 days of written notice: repair and deduct, up to $500 a year total, with an itemized bill (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-30). Or written notice ending the lease at least 30 days out unless fixed in 20 days (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-28). No heat, water, hot water, electricity or gas: after notice, buy the service and deduct it, claim reduced rent, or move to substitute housing rent-free (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-31). If sued for unpaid rent, you can counterclaim and the court may have rent paid into court (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-32). Source: R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-22, 34-18-28, 34-18-30, 34-18-31.
Protected. Strong protections. Cannot evict for complaints. Document communications. Source: RI Gen Laws § 34-18-46.
Move out within 30 days. Since July 1, 2026, a tenant who (or whose household member) suffered abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking in the past 150 days may end the lease. Give notice with written verification: a protective order, proof of a protective order case or police report, or a statement from an official, attorney, health care provider, counselor or advocate. Move out within 30 days; no penalty, fee or future rent, and the deposit comes back if the home is undamaged. The landlord must change the locks within 2 business days on request (§ 34-18-65). Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-63.
Self-help illegal. Self-help evictions illegal. Court process required. Utility shutoffs prohibited. Source: RI Gen Laws § 34-18-34.
Rhode Island tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey to analyze your specific lease against Rhode Island law.
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