Last updated: April 2026
Johnston renters in Providence County are protected by the Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act — no rent control is in effect, but state law provides meaningful rules on deposits, habitability, and the eviction process.
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Johnston is a town in Providence County, located immediately west of Providence in the heart of Rhode Island. Renters in Johnston are governed by the Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-1 et seq.), which sets statewide rules on security deposits, habitability obligations, anti-retaliation protections, and the eviction process.
Rhode Island does not preempt local rent control — municipalities could theoretically adopt ordinances — but no city or town in Rhode Island currently has an active rent control program. Although Providence has discussed rent stabilization in recent years, no ordinance has been enacted. Johnston has not adopted any local landlord-tenant rules, making state law the exclusive authority here.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Renters facing urgent housing issues should contact Rhode Island Legal Services (rils.org) or Rhode Island Housing listed at the bottom of this page.
Johnston has no rent control. Rhode Island does not preempt local rent control, but no city or town in the state currently has an active rent stabilization ordinance. Johnston has not enacted any such ordinance, and there are no limits on how much a landlord may raise your rent in Johnston.
For month-to-month tenants, your landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice before raising rent or terminating the tenancy (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37). If you are on a fixed-term lease, your rent cannot be increased until the lease expires, at which point the landlord may offer new terms.
The Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act provides the following key protections for Johnston renters:
Security Deposit Cap: Landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19). Any excess must be returned to you.
Deposit Return: Your landlord must return your deposit within 20 days of move-out along with a written itemized statement of deductions. Wrongful withholding entitles you to double the amount wrongfully withheld plus costs (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(c)). Provide your forwarding address in writing when you vacate.
Habitability: Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22, including working heat, plumbing, and structural soundness. Tenants may withhold rent or repair-and-deduct for serious habitability violations after proper written notice.
Anti-Retaliation: Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46, landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations, organizing, or exercising any legal right.
Eviction Procedure: Self-help eviction is prohibited (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36). Landlords must serve written notice and obtain a court judgment before a sheriff may remove any tenant.
Security deposit rules for Johnston renters are governed by R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19.
Cap: Your landlord may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit. Any amount above this must be returned to you.
Return Deadline: Your landlord must return your deposit — along with a written itemized list of deductions — within 20 days of the date you vacate and provide a forwarding address. Provide your forwarding address in writing at move-out to start the clock.
Allowable Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent and physical damage beyond normal wear and tear. Routine wear — minor scuffs, small nail holes, light carpet use — is not chargeable. Take dated photographs and video at both move-in and move-out.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you may sue for double the amount wrongfully withheld plus costs in Rhode Island District Court (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(c)).
Johnston landlords must follow Rhode Island's formal eviction process. Self-help removal — changing locks, removing belongings, or interrupting utilities — is prohibited by R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36.
Step 1 — Written Notice: The landlord must serve the appropriate written notice. For nonpayment of rent, a 5-day notice to pay or quit is required. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, at least 30 days' written notice is required (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37).
Step 2 — District Court Filing: If you do not comply, the landlord files a complaint in Rhode Island District Court. A hearing is typically scheduled within a few weeks.
Step 3 — Hearing: You have the right to appear and present defenses, including habitability violations, retaliation, or payment of rent. Contact Rhode Island Legal Services before your hearing if you need assistance.
Step 4 — Writ of Execution: If the court rules for the landlord and you do not appeal, a writ of execution is issued and executed by the sheriff. Only a court officer — not the landlord — may remove you.
No. Johnston has no rent control. Rhode Island has no statewide or local rent control program currently in effect, and there are no caps on rent increases in Johnston.
There is no legal limit on rent increases in Johnston. For month-to-month tenancies, your landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice before raising rent or terminating the tenancy (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37). Fixed-term leases are protected from increases until the lease expires.
Your landlord must return your deposit within 20 days of move-out along with a written itemized statement of deductions (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19). Provide your forwarding address in writing when you vacate. Wrongful withholding can result in double the withheld amount.
For nonpayment of rent, landlords must give a 5-day notice to pay or quit before filing in Rhode Island District Court. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, at least 30 days' written notice is required (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37). A court judgment is required before you can be removed.
No. Rhode Island law (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36) prohibits self-help eviction. A landlord cannot change your locks, remove your belongings, or interrupt utilities without a court order. If this happens, contact Rhode Island Legal Services immediately.
Submit your repair request in writing and keep a copy. Rhode Island law (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22) requires landlords to maintain habitable conditions. For serious violations, tenants may withhold rent or repair-and-deduct after proper written notice. Contact Rhode Island Legal Services (rils.org) for guidance.
This article provides general information about tenant rights in Johnston and is not legal advice. Laws and local ordinances may have changed since publication. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Rhode Island attorney or contact Rhode Island Legal Services.
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