2023 -- H 5108

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LC000065

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representative Joseph J. Solomon

     Date Introduced: January 12, 2023

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 34-18-30 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-18 entitled "Residential

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Landlord and Tenant Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     34-18-30. Self-help for limited repairs.

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     (a) If the landlord fails to comply with subsection of § 34-18-22(a)(1), (2), (4), (5), or (6),

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and the reasonable cost of compliance is less than one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) five

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hundred dollars ($500), the tenant may cause repairs to be done in a skilled manner, in compliance

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with applicable state and local codes, and deduct from his or her rent the actual and reasonable cost

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or the fair and reasonable value of the repairs if:

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     (1) The tenant notifies the landlord of his or her intention to correct the condition at the

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landlord’s expense; and

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     (2) The landlord fails to comply within twenty (20) days, or fails to demonstrate ongoing,

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good faith efforts to comply, after being notified by the tenant in writing; or, in the case of

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emergency, the landlord either cannot be reached by the tenant, or the landlord fails to comply as

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promptly as conditions require; and

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     (3) The tenant submits an itemized statement to the landlord of the cost or the fair and

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reasonable value of the repairs made.

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     (b) A tenant may not repair at the landlord’s expense if the condition was caused by the

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deliberate or negligent act or omission of the tenant, a member of his or her family, or other person

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on the premises with his or her consent.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

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     This act would increase the amount of costs for repairs that a tenant may deduct from his

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or her rent from one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) to five hundred dollars ($500).

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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