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Rhode Island is a great state to consider for those looking to buy a rental property or for those looking to relocate. As the smallest state, you can be anywhere within an hour’s drive. Rhode Island also boasts fantastic beaches and has top-tier education. For property investors, Rhode Island’s home values have been increasing and are expected to continue to rise.
Laws that impact the rental market, landlords, and tenants are constantly being decided in states. Make sure you know what’s on your ballot – find Rhode Island voting information.
When it comes to Rhode Island rental laws, there are a few specifics landlords need to know:
There are no Rhode Island laws regarding application fees.
You have 20 days to make repairs once you receive a written notice of an issue from your tenant.
Rhode Island limits the amount you may charge for the security deposit to the equivalent of one month’s rent. However, if the unit is furnished and has a value over $5,000, you can charge an additional one month’s rent as security deposit.
If a property has an outstanding housing code violation, Rhode Island landlords must disclose this information to the tenant.
Build a Rhode Island lease agreement in less than 15 minutes.
There are three sections to a residential lease agreement. The first section outlines the custom details of the contract, such as who’s involved and for what address. Here’s an example Rhode Island lease agreement listing details found in Section 1:
Below are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to landlord-tenant laws in Rhode Island:
The only instance where a tenant may withhold rent is if a landlord fails to make requested repairs. Tenants may pay for the repairs themselves and deduct the cost from the following rent payments.
Evicting a tenant in Rhode Island can take anywhere from 1 to 4 months, depending on the reason for eviction.
Rhode Island is a somewhat landlord-friendly state because there are few rent control laws.
There are five reasons a landlord may file for eviction in Rhode Island. Failure to pay rent, violation of the lease agreement, the end of the lease term, foreclosure of the rental unit, and illegal activity. Depending on the violation, the landlord must give the tenant notice and anywhere from 5-30 days to cure their violation.
If the tenant fails to cure or quit, then the landlord may file a complaint with the court, which costs $80. After the complaint is filed, it will be served to the tenant at least five days before the hearing.
After the tenant is served with the summons, they must file an answer within nine to 20 days of receiving the summons. After, the hearing will be scheduled after nine days of the answer being filed.
If the court rules in favor of the landlord, then a writ of execution will be issued six days later. The tenant will have a few hours to a few days to move out.
Landlords must give a 30-day notice before asking a tenant to vacate the property.
TurboTenant has utilized many municipal sources along with official state statutes in order to compile this information to the best of our ability. However, local laws are always in flux, and landlords and tenants alike should do their due diligence and consult legal help when it’s needed. We hope the following list can serve as a valuable resource and allow you to succeed as a landlord or tenant in Rhode Island. Be sure to take proper precautions when it comes to finding the top candidates for your unit by utilizing our online rental application and tenant screening services.
Disclaimer: TurboTenant, Inc does not provide legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only. All users are advised to check all applicable local, state, and federal laws, and consult legal counsel should questions arise.
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