How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Rhode Island?

Security deposit may not exceed one month's rent. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19) The deposit must be accounted for within 20 days after the tenancy ends (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19).

Is there a limit on late fees in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.

How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Rhode Island?

Landlord must give at least 2 days' notice before entering, except in an emergency. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-26)

How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Rhode Island?

Either party must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37)

What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Rhode Island?

Tenant has 5 days after rent is 15 days overdue to pay or vacate before the landlord may file. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35) The case is filed as an eviction in District Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.

Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Rhode Island?

A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. Rhode Island tenancies are governed by the Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, and a written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Rhode Island with the statutory citations printed in it.

Rhode Island Residential Lease Agreement

A lease that works in the State of Rhode Island has to respect the Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act: a security deposit capped at one month's rent, accounted for within 20 days of move-out, and no statutory ceiling on late fees. Below is every number that governs a Rhode Island tenancy, with the statute it comes from.

Read the whole lease before you pay. $14.99 to download, or three for $29.

Rhode Island rental law at a glance

Each row is the rule Landy applies when it builds a Rhode Island lease. The citation is printed in the finished document too, so a tenant can check it.

Rhode Island landlord-tenant rules with statutory citations
Rule	Rhode Island	Citation
Security deposit limit	one month's rentSecurity deposit may not exceed one month's rent.	R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19
Deposit return deadline	20 daysLandlord must return the deposit or an itemized statement within 20 days after termination.	R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19
Interest on deposits	Not requiredRhode Island does not require interest on security deposits.	R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19
Late fee limit	No statutory limitRhode Island sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.	No statute on point
Grace period before rent is late	No statutory grace periodRhode Island sets no statutory grace period for rent.	No statute on point
Notice to pay or quit	5 daysTenant has 5 days after rent is 15 days overdue to pay or vacate before the landlord may file.	R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35
Time to cure a lease violation	20 daysTenant generally has 20 days to remedy a curable lease violation.	R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36
Ending a month-to-month tenancy	30 days' noticeEither party must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy.	R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37
Notice before landlord entry	48 hoursLandlord must give at least 2 days' notice before entering, except in an emergency.	R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-26

Disclosures a Rhode Island lease must carry

Missing a required disclosure is the most common way an otherwise fine lease creates a problem. Landy adds these automatically, plus any that apply only to your specific property.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Before renting pre-1978 housing, landlords must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the dwelling, provide any available records and reports to the tenant, and give the tenant the EPA-approved pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home." Tenant acknowledges receipt of this information by signing below.
42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 24 C.F.R. Part 35; 40 C.F.R. Part 745 · applies to housing built before 1978

If things go wrong in Rhode Island

Where eviction is filed

District Court, as an eviction.

Governing law

Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, cited from the Rhode Island General Laws.

Never self-help

Changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out is unlawful. A court order is the only route.

Rhode Island lease questions, answered

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Rhode Island?: Security deposit may not exceed one month's rent. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19) The deposit must be accounted for within 20 days after the tenancy ends (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19).
Is there a limit on late fees in Rhode Island?: Rhode Island sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Rhode Island?: Landlord must give at least 2 days' notice before entering, except in an emergency. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-26)
How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Rhode Island?: Either party must give at least 30 days' written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37)
What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Rhode Island?: Tenant has 5 days after rent is 15 days overdue to pay or vacate before the landlord may file. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35) The case is filed as an eviction in District Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.
Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Rhode Island?: A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. Rhode Island tenancies are governed by the Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, and a written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Rhode Island with the statutory citations printed in it.

Build a Rhode Island lease with these rules already in it.

Answer questions in plain English. Landy writes the Rhode Island lease around your answers, applies every limit above, and shows you the finished document before you decide to pay.

Lease laws in other states

This page summarizes Rhode Island law for general information and is not legal advice. Landy is a self-help document service, not a law firm. Cities and counties may impose additional requirements, and statutes change. Have a licensed Rhode Island attorney review your lease before you rely on it.