2023 -- H 5580 | |
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LC001116 | |
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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 | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Speakman, Caldwell, Cruz, Knight, Phillips, | |
Date Introduced: February 15, 2023 | |
Referred To: House Judiciary | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Chapter 34-18 of the General Laws entitled "Residential Landlord and Tenant |
2 | Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: |
3 | 34-18-58. Prohibition of rental application fees. |
4 | (a) A landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, real estate broker, property management company, or |
5 | designee shall not require or demand any prospective tenant or tenant to pay a rental application |
6 | fee, or collect any rental application fee from a prospective tenant or tenant. |
7 | (b) For the purposes of this section, "rental application fee" means any monetary fee that |
8 | is collected during the rental application rental process for a residential unit, including, but not |
9 | limited to, a fee for a credit check, background check, screening, or administrative services. |
10 | (c) Any violations of this section shall be deemed a deceptive trade practice pursuant to § |
11 | 6-13.1-2 and shall be punishable pursuant to the provisions set forth in § 6-13.1-14. |
12 | SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC001116 | |
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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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1 | This act would prohibit a landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, real estate broker, property |
2 | management company, or designee to require or receive a fee for a rental application from a |
3 | prospective tenant or tenant. Violations would be unfair business practices punishable as a |
4 | misdemeanor with a fine of five hundred dollars ($500). |
5 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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