Title 34, Title 34 Title 34

(a) If the tenant remains in possession without the landlord’s consent after expiration of the term of the rental agreement or after the termination of a periodic tenancy, the landlord may commence an eviction action, which may be filed no earlier than the first day following the…

As used in § 34-18-38.2, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings: (1) “Bona fide lease” or “bona fide tenancy” means a lease or tenancy shall not be considered bona fide unless: (i) The mortgagor, or the child, spouse,…

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general or public laws to the contrary, a foreclosing owner shall not evict a tenant except for just cause, or unless a binding purchase-and-sale agreement has been executed for a bona fide third party to purchase the housing accommodation…

If there is noncompliance by tenant with § 34-18-24 materially affecting health and safety that can be remedied by repair, replacement of a damaged item, or cleaning, and the tenant fails to comply as promptly as conditions require in case of emergency or within twenty (20) days …

This chapter being a general act intended as a unified coverage of its subject matter, no part of it is to be construed as impliedly repealed by subsequent legislation if that construction can reasonably be avoided. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of this chapte…

If the tenant abandons the dwelling unit, the landlord shall send a certified letter, return receipt requested, to the tenant’s last known address giving notice that unless a reply is received from the tenant within seven (7) days, the landlord shall re-rent the premises. If the …

Acceptance of rent with knowledge of a default by the tenant or acceptance of performance by him or her that varies from the terms of the rental agreement constitutes a waiver of the landlord’s right to terminate the rental agreement for that breach, unless the landlord gives wri…

(a) A lien or security interest on behalf of the landlord in the tenant’s household goods is not enforceable unless perfected before the effective date of this chapter, except as provided in § 34-18-50. (b) Distraint for rent is abolished.

If the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord has a claim for possession, for a sum for reasonable use and occupation subsequent to the termination, and for actual damages for breach of the rental agreement and reasonable attorney’s fees.

A landlord may not recover or take possession of the dwelling unit by action or otherwise, including willful diminution of services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of heat, running water, hot water, electric, gas, or other essential service to the tenant…

(a) If the tenant refuses to allow lawful access, the landlord may obtain injunctive relief to compel access, or terminate the rental agreement. (b) If the landlord makes an unlawful entry or a lawful entry in an unreasonable manner or makes repeated demands for entry otherwise l…

(a) Except as provided in this section, a landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession because: (1) The tenant has complained to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforceme…

Appeals of actions brought under this chapter shall be pursuant to § 9-12-10.1.

If no appeal is claimed, and if the judgment has not been satisfied, execution shall be issued on the sixth (6th) day following judgment. Executions shall be issued to the division of sheriffs or certified constable. Every execution issued by any district court pursuant to this c…

Whenever, in any action for the recovery of real property, the issuance of an execution, or the service of an execution, is stayed by order of the court or by the operation of law, the stay shall be conditioned upon the payment by tenant to the landlord of sums of money equal to …

(a) The remedies provided by this chapter shall be so administered that an aggrieved party may recover appropriate damages and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, as set forth in § 34-18-6. The aggrieved party has a duty to mitigate damages. (b) Any right o…

Whenever the personal property of any tenant is removed from the premises the tenant occupies by mandate of an execution from the court of competent jurisdiction, the tenant shall pay the entire amount of the cost of moving the personal property and any prepaid storage charges to…

In the event that the tenant shall fail or refuse to pay all sums promptly when due in accordance with the provisions of § 34-18-49, the court in which the judgment for possession was issued shall, on motion of the landlord and after hearing thereon, including satisfactory proof …

Whenever an action for the recovery of real property is pending on appeal in the superior or supreme court, the tenant in the action shall pay to the landlord sums of money equal to the rent for the premises, which the sums shall be paid at such times and in such amounts as rent …

In the event that the tenant fails or refuses to pay all sums promptly when due, in accordance with the provisions of § 34-18-52, the court in which the case is pending, shall, without any trial on the merits, on motion of the landlord, and after hearing thereon, including satisf…

Transactions entered into before January 1, 1987, and not extended or renewed on and after that date, and the rights, duties and interests flowing from them remain valid and may be terminated, completed, consummated, or enforced as required or permitted by any statute or other la…

If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or application of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the p…

(a) A notice in substantially the following language shall suffice for the purpose of giving a tenant a five (5) day demand for payment of rent prior to commencement of an eviction pursuant to § 34-18-35: FIVE-DAY DEMAND NOTICE FOR NONPAYMENT OF RENTR.I.G.L. 34-18-35Date of Maili…

All persons, corporations, organizations, associations or other legal entities owning and leasing property in the cities of Providence or Warwick shall register their names, home addresses, including zip codes, and telephone numbers with the city clerk in the city where such prop…

(a) All landlords shall register the following information with the department of health: (1) Names of individual landlords or any business entity responsible for leasing to a tenant under this chapter; (2) An active business address, PO box, or home address; (3) An active email …

(a) A landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, real estate broker, property management company, or designee shall not be allowed to require or demand any prospective tenant to pay for a rental application fee. (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a landlord, lessor, su…

(a) No temporary restraining order shall be granted without notice to the adverse party unless it clearly appears from specific facts shown by affidavit or by the verified complaint that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result to the applicant before notice …

(a) Actions arising under §§ 34-18-35, 34-18-36, and 34-18-38 may be sealed by the court upon motion by any party or parties filed at least thirty (30) days after the expiration of the appeal period following the conclusion of the underlying civil action. (b) In ruling on the mot…

(a) A landlord shall not charge a convenience fee to a tenant’s rental payment. (b) Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to any landlord that accepts a form of payment of rent that does not require a convenience fee for such payment.

(a) No landlord or any agent of the landlord shall: (1) Make any inquiry regarding or based on the immigration or citizenship status of a tenant, prospective tenant, occupant, or prospective occupant of residential rental property; or (2) Require that any tenant, prospective tena…

This chapter applies to, regulates and determines rights, obligations, and remedies under a rental agreement, wherever made, for a dwelling unit located within this state.

Unless the parties expressly agree to be governed by the provisions of this chapter, the following arrangements are not governed by this chapter: (1) Residence at an institution, public or private, if incidental to detention or the provision of medical, geriatric, educational, co…

The district or appropriate housing court of this state shall exercise jurisdiction in both law and equity over any landlord or tenant with respect to any conduct in this state governed by this chapter or with respect to any claim arising from a transaction subject to this chapte…

Whenever a complaint shall be made in writing and under oath of the complainant, or of some one in his or her behalf, to a justice of the superior court, that any person has made unlawful and forcible entry into lands or tenements, and with a strong hand detains the lands or tene…

The complaint may be made within three (3) years after the forcible entry and detainer, or forcible detainer, complained of is committed, and not after.

Every person summoned and attending as a juror shall be entitled to the same allowance per day for attendance and for travel per mile as for like attendance and travel in the superior court; to be paid in the first instance by the complainant before the verdict shall be received,…

The court shall also make out a summons to the party complained against in the form following: THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND. SC. (SEAL) To the sheriff of the county of .......... or .......... to his or her deputy, .......... Greeting: We command you that you summon .......... of ..…

The summons shall be served upon the party complained against, or a copy thereof left at his or her usual place of abode, six (6) days, exclusive, before the day appointed by the justice for the trial; and if, after the service of the summons, the party shall not appear to defend…

When the jury summoned, or such other jurors as may be taken up on a new venire to be issued by the court if occasion shall require, shall appear, they shall, to the number of twelve (12), be impaneled to inquire into the forcible entry and detainer, or forcible detainer, complai…

If, upon a full hearing of the cause, the jury shall find the complaint laid before them supported by the evidence, they shall sign and return to the court their verdict, in form following, to wit: At a court of inquiry held before one of the justices of the superior court within…

Upon the return of verdict for the complainant, the court shall enter up judgment that the complainant have restitution of the premises, with all costs, to be taxed by the court, and shall award a writ of restitution and for costs against the party complained of, in the form foll…

If the jury’s verdict is that the complaint is not supported, or if the jury cannot agree upon a verdict, the defendant shall recover his or her costs of the proceeding, to be taxed by the court, who shall award to him or her, in common form, execution therefor.

No appeal shall be allowed from the judgment of the court, nor shall a new trial be granted, in this proceeding, nor shall the judgment be a bar to any action thereafter brought by either party.

The proceeding may be removed by certiorari into the supreme court, and be quashed for irregularity, if there is any.

Except as provided for in chapter 34 of title 39, every person who shall cut, destroy, or carry away any tree, timber, wood, or underwood whatsoever, lying or growing on the land of any other person, without leave of the owner thereof, shall, for every such trespass, pay the part…

(a) Definitions. As used in this section, the following words and terms shall have given to them the meanings set forth below, unless the context indicates another or different meaning or intent. (1) “Encroach” means to conduct an activity that causes substantial damage or altera…