Chapter 229
2018 -- H 7600 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED
Enacted 07/02/2018

A N   A C T
RELATING TO PROPERTY - RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Introduced By: Representatives Casimiro, Vella-Wilkinson, Shanley, Ackerman, and
Date Introduced: February 14, 2018

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 34-18-19 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-18 entitled
"Residential Landlord and Tenant Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     34-18-19. Security deposits.
     (a) A landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit, however denominated, in an
amount or value in excess of one month's periodic rent.
     (b) Upon termination of the tenancy, the amount of security deposit due to the tenant
shall be the entire amount given by the tenant as a security deposit, minus any amount of unpaid
accrued rent, the amount due, if any, for reasonable cleaning expenses, the amount due, if any, for
reasonable trash disposal expenses and the amount of physical damages to the premises, other
than ordinary wear and tear, which that the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant's
noncompliance with ยง 34-18-24, all as itemized by the landlord in a written notice delivered to
the tenant. The landlord shall deliver the notice, together with the amount of the security deposit
due to the tenant, within twenty (20) days after the later of either termination of the tenancy,
delivery of possession, or the tenant's providing the landlord with a forwarding address for the
purpose of receiving the security deposit.
     (c) If the landlord fails to comply with subsection (b), the tenant may recover the amount
due him or her, together with damages in an amount equal to twice the amount wrongfully
withheld, and reasonable attorney fees.
     (d) This section does not preclude the landlord or tenant from recovering other damages
to which he or she may be entitled under this chapter.
     (e) This section does not preclude any landlord who rents a furnished apartment from
demanding or receiving a furniture security deposit if the replacement value of the furniture being
furnished by the landlord valued at the time the lease is executed is five thousand dollars ($5,000)
or greater, in which instance the landlord may charge a separate furniture security deposit of up to
one month's periodic rent.
     (f) Upon termination of the tenancy, the amount of furniture security deposit due to the
tenant shall be the entire amount given by the tenant as a furniture security deposit, minus the
amount due, if any, for reasonable cleaning expenses and repair and the amount of physical
damages to the furniture, other than ordinary wear and tear. The landlord shall deliver the notice,
together with the amount of the furniture security deposit due to the tenant, within twenty (20)
days after the later of either termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenant's
providing the landlord with a forwarding address for the purpose of receiving the furniture
security deposit.
     (e)(g) In the event the landlord transfers his or her interest in the premises, the holder of
the landlord's interest in the premises at the time of the termination of the tenancy is bound by
this section.
     (f)(h) No rental agreement shall contain any waiver of the provisions of this section.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC004623/SUB A
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