Rhode Island Landlord Guide — Get Your Action Plan in 60 Seconds

Tenant behind on rent? Damage beyond wear and tear? Holding over after the lease ended? Describe the situation in your own words and get a plain-English breakdown, severity rating, step-by-step next steps, and ready-to-send notices — specific to Rhode Island law.

Rhode Island landlord law, at a glance

• Security deposit: you must return it within 20 days of move-out, with an itemized statement for deductions.
• Tenant entry: Landlords must generally give 48-hour notice before entering, except in emergencies.
• Eviction: you must go through the courts. Self-help eviction is illegal.

Rhode Island landlords must return the deposit with an itemized written notice within 20 days after the later of termination, delivery of possession, or receipt of the tenant's forwarding address (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19), and deposits are capped at one month's rent; violations can cost twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney fees. Landlords must give at least 2 days' notice before non-emergency entry. Rent must be 15 days overdue before a landlord can send the 5-day demand notice, which functions as an effective 15-day grace period.

Free legal help in Rhode Island

• Rhode Island Legal Services (Help RI Law) — (401) 274-2652 — Free legal assistance for low-income Rhode Islanders; mission includes preventing homelessness.
• Rhode Island Center for Justice — (401) 491-1101 — Tenant Advocacy Project: free brief advice and representation for low-income tenants.
• Call or text 211 for free local referrals.

Common questions