As a Rhode Island renter, it’s important to know your rights. From protecting your deposits to knowing when rent is due, understanding your rights is essential for any renter. In this article, we’ll provide a summary of your rights as a tenant in Rhode Island and some tips to help make your rental experience go smooth.
The Rhode Island Landlord Tenant Act requires all rental agreements to include unfurnished, non-subsidized rentals. It includes information about the tenant’s rights and obligations including: security deposits, late fees, utility payments, rent payments, eviction procedures, and much more. Additionally, the Act provides for your right to live in a safe and habitable environment and outlines the landlord’s legal obligations to maintain the property in accordance with your lease.
The Act also outlines the rights of tenants regarding their security deposits. A landlord can not charge more than one month’s rent as a security deposit. The deposit must be kept in an escrow account by a third party who is approved by the RI Superior Court. Additionally, the tenant can not be responsible for any damage that has occurred before they moved in.
Know Your Payment Due Dates
Under the Landlord-Tenant Act in Rhode Island, rent is due on the date listed in the lease. This due date must be specified in the written agreement and is usually the first of the month. If rent is not paid by the due date, the landlord has the right to charge a late fee. If a tenant does not pay rent and doesn’t respond to attempts by the landlord to contact them, the landlord can file an eviction notice with the court.
A landlord can also charge a late fee which is specified in the lease. The Act allows a landlord to charge up to $50.00 for late rent payment, or an amount equal to 10 percent of the total rent, whichever amount is greater. Additionally, the tenant has the right to challenge the late fees and the eviction notice in court.
Repair & Maintenance Rights
Rhode Island tenants also have the right to a safe and habitable environment. This includes the right to expect the landlord to provide services and repairs of any material or structural damage to the property. If your living area is not safe or becomes uninhabitable, you have the right to demand repairs from the landlord in a reasonable amount of time. If the landlord does not make the necessary repairs, you should contact the RI Office of Housing and Community Development for assistance.
You also have the right to perform repairs and maintenance on the apartment yourself and to subtract the cost of the repair from your rent. However, the amount of the rent deduction must be reasonable and can not exceed the actual cost of the repair.
Tenants also have the right to ask their landlord for an itemized list of any repairs or projects that need to be done and the cost estimates for the repairs. This list must be provided if requested by the tenant. If the landlord does not provide the list or makes changes to it without tenant consent, the tenant can contact the RI Office of Housing and Community Development for assistance.
Rent Increases and Evictions
Under the Rhode Island Landlord-Tenant Act, landlords cannot increase your rent unless it is a fixed-term lease. In this instance, the rent can be increased on the date specified in the lease. If the tenant does not agree to the increase, the landlord must give the tenant a 30 day written notice to vacate.
The Act also outlines the process for a landlord to evict a tenant. The landlord must give the tenant a 30-day no cause eviction notice, or a 14-day notice for a lease violation. Additionally, if the tenant has not paid the rent or broken a lease agreement, the landlord is allowed to evict the tenant with a three-day notice.
Tenant Rights to Know
- A landlord can not charge more than one month’s rent as a security deposit
- A tenant has the right to demand repairs from the landlord in a reasonable amount of time.
- Rent is due on the date specified in the lease.
- A landlord can charge up to $50.00 for late rent payment, or 10 percent of the total rent, whichever is greater.
- The tenant has the right to challenge the late fees and any eviction notice in court.
- A landlord can not increase tenant rents during a fixed-term lease.
- The landlord must give the tenant a 30 day or 14 day notice to vacate for lease violations and no cause evictions.
- For unpaid rent or lease violations, the landlord is allowed to evict the tenant with a three-day notice.
Renters Rights in Rhode Island – The Summary
In summary, understanding your rights as a tenant in Rhode Island is