Rhode Island has a Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18) with moderate tenant protections. Security deposits are capped at 1 month’s rent, tenants have habitability rights, and landlords must follow proper eviction procedures.
Rhode Island at a Glance
Rent control: None
Statewide rent cap: None — landlords can raise rent by any amount
Preemption: Rhode Island does not preempt local rent control. No city currently has an active ordinance, though Providence has discussed it.
What Protections Rhode Island Tenants Do Have
Even without rent control, Rhode Island law gives renters meaningful rights in these areas:
Security Deposit
Capped at 1 month’s rent. Must be returned within 20 days of move-out with itemized statement. Wrongful withholding entitles tenant to double the amount wrongfully withheld (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19).
Notice to Terminate
Month-to-month tenancies require at least 30 days written notice (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37).
Habitability
Landlords must maintain habitable conditions (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22). Tenants may withhold rent or repair-and-deduct for serious habitability violations.
Anti-Retaliation
Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations or exercising legal rights (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46).
Eviction
Landlords must provide written notice and obtain a court judgment before removing a tenant. Self-help eviction is prohibited (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36).