2023 -- H 5225

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LC000675

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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: Representatives Kislak, Alzate, Henries, McGaw, Batista, Morales,
Stewart, Felix, Sanchez, and Speakman

     Date Introduced: January 25, 2023

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 34-18 of the General Laws entitled "Residential Landlord and Tenant

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Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     34-18-58. Statewide rental registry.

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     (a) All persons, corporations, organizations, associations or other legal entities owning and

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leasing property in the State of Rhode Island shall register for each property to be leased, the

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following information with the secretary of state:

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     (1) Owner's name, address, phone number and email address.

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     (2) If a corporation, the name, address and phone number of the registered agent.

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     (3) The name, address and telephone number of the property manager.

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     (4) The name, address and telephone number of the agent for service of process.

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     (b) The secretary of state, or designee, shall compile a report setting forth the information

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obtained in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, no later than December 1 of every year,

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commencing December 1, 2023. The report shall be made available to the public and be posted on

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the website of the secretary of state.

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     (c) Any person, corporation, organization, association or other legal entity who fails to

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comply with subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to a civil fine of one hundred dollars

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($100) per month, per property, payable to the secretary of state.

 

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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 require all property owners of rental property to file with the secretary of

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state notice of their name, address, telephone number, email address and other information. The

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secretary of state would be required to compile a report of all the required information and make

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such report available to the public. Any property owner of rental property who fails to comply with

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the requirements of filing the necessary information with the secretary of state will be subject to a

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civil fine of one hundred dollars ($100) per property, per month.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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