Lincoln is a town in Providence County, Rhode Island, located north of Providence in the Blackstone Valley region. Rhode Island does not preempt local rent control — cities and towns could enact rent stabilization — but no Rhode Island municipality currently has an active ordinance. Providence has discussed the issue but has not passed one. Lincoln has not adopted any local rent control. Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-1 et seq.) governs the landlord-tenant relationship in Lincoln, providing protections on security deposits, habitability, and eviction procedure.
Lincoln has no rent control. Rhode Island does not preempt local rent stabilization, so municipalities are legally free to enact ordinances — but none currently do. Lincoln and Providence County have no rent control measures. Landlords in Lincoln may raise rents at lease renewal by any amount. Month-to-month tenants are entitled to 30 days' written notice before the landlord can terminate the tenancy (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37).
Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act provides meaningful baseline protections for Lincoln renters. Landlords must maintain the premises in a habitable condition under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22 — functioning heat, plumbing, electrical systems, and freedom from pest infestation. If your landlord fails to make essential repairs, you may be able to withhold rent or repair-and-deduct for serious violations after proper notice. Rhode Island prohibits landlord retaliation against tenants who report code violations or exercise legal rights (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46). Self-help eviction is prohibited — landlords must use the court process (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36).
Rhode Island caps security deposits at one month's rent — one of the lower caps in New England (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19). Landlords must return the deposit within 20 days of the end of the tenancy along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. If your landlord wrongfully withholds your deposit, you may be entitled to double the amount improperly kept. Document the unit's condition at move-in and move-out with photos and provide your forwarding address in writing when you vacate to start the 20-day return period.
Effective January 1, 2025, Rhode Island landlords must disclose all mandatory fees in writing in the rental agreement, in the same section as the rent, and must give at least 30 days' written notice before changing any fee. A landlord may not charge a convenience fee for a particular rent-payment method unless the landlord also offers at least one no-fee way to pay rent (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-15, 34-18-61).
To evict a Lincoln tenant, a landlord must serve written notice and file with the Providence County District Court to obtain a judgment. Month-to-month tenants are entitled to 30 days' written notice before the tenancy ends (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37). For nonpayment of rent, landlords serve a written demand before filing. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or interrupting utilities without a court order — is prohibited under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36. You have the right to respond to the eviction summons and appear at your hearing.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change — verify current statutes and consult a licensed Rhode Island attorney for advice specific to your situation.
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