Chapter 18
Residential Landlord and Tenant Act

Index of Sections

§ 34-18-1. Short title.

§ 34-18-2. Purposes — Rules of construction.

§ 34-18-3. Supplementary principles of law applicable.

§ 34-18-4. Construction against implicit repeal.

§ 34-18-5. Administration of remedies — Enforcement.

§ 34-18-6. Temporary restraining orders — Ex parte proceedings.

§ 34-18-7. Application.

§ 34-18-8. Exclusions from application of chapter.

§ 34-18-9. Jurisdiction.

§ 34-18-10. Service of process for actions pursuant to chapter.

§ 34-18-11. Definitions.

§ 34-18-12. Obligation of good faith.

§ 34-18-13. Unconscionability.

§ 34-18-14. Notice.

§ 34-18-15. Terms and conditions of rental agreement. [Effective until January 1, 2025.]34-18-15. Terms and conditions of rental agreement. [Effective January 1, 2025.]

§ 34-18-16. Effect of unsigned or undelivered rental agreement.

§ 34-18-16.1. Rent increases — Notice requirements.

§ 34-18-17. Prohibited provisions in rental agreements.

§ 34-18-18. Receipt of rent free of maintenance obligations forbidden.

§ 34-18-19. Security deposits.

§ 34-18-20. Disclosure.

§ 34-18-21. Landlord to deliver possession of dwelling unit.

§ 34-18-22. Landlord to maintain premises.

§ 34-18-22.1. Landlord’s duty to notify tenant of violation.

§ 34-18-22.2. Landlord’s duty regarding compliance with zoning and minimum housing laws.

§ 34-18-22.3. Nonresident landlord to designate agent for service of process.

§ 34-18-23. Limitation of liability upon sale or change of management.

§ 34-18-24. Tenant to maintain dwelling unit.

§ 34-18-25. Rules and regulations.

§ 34-18-26. Access.

§ 34-18-27. Tenant to use and occupy.

§ 34-18-28. Noncompliance by the landlord in general.

§ 34-18-29. Failure to deliver possession.

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

§ 34-18-31. Wrongful failure to supply heat, water, hot water, or essential services.

§ 34-18-32. Landlord’s noncompliance as defense to action for possession or rent.

§ 34-18-33. Fire or casualty damage.

§ 34-18-34. Tenant’s remedies for landlord’s unlawful ouster, exclusion, or diminution of service.

§ 34-18-35. Eviction for nonpayment of rent.

§ 34-18-36. Eviction for noncompliance with rental agreement.

§ 34-18-37. Termination of periodic tenancy.

§ 34-18-38. Eviction for unlawfully holding over after termination or expiration of tenancy.

§ 34-18-38.1. Definitions for purpose of the eviction of tenants in residential foreclosed properties.

§ 34-18-38.2. Just cause needed for eviction of foreclosed residential property tenants.

§ 34-18-39. Failure to maintain.

§ 34-18-40. Remedies for abandonment.

§ 34-18-41. Waiver of landlord’s right to terminate.

§ 34-18-42. Landlord liens — Distraint for rent abolished.

§ 34-18-43. Remedy after termination.

§ 34-18-44. Self-help recovery of possession prohibited.

§ 34-18-45. Landlord and tenant remedies for abuse of access.

§ 34-18-46. Retaliatory conduct prohibited.

§ 34-18-47. Appeals.

§ 34-18-48. Execution.

§ 34-18-49. Payment of rent on stay of execution.

§ 34-18-50. Payment of moving costs required.

§ 34-18-51. Issuance of execution on nonpayment of rent.

§ 34-18-52. Payment of rent during pendency of appeal.

§ 34-18-53. Dismissal of appeal for nonpayment of rent during pendency of appeals.

§ 34-18-54. Savings clause.

§ 34-18-55. Severability.

§ 34-18-56. Notices and complaint forms.

§ 34-18-57. Providence and Warwick Absentee Landlord Enforcement Act.

§ 34-18-58. Statewide mandatory rental registry.

§ 34-18-59. Fair limitation on rental application fees.

§ 34-18-60. Sealing and unsealing of court files.

§ 34-18-61. Convenience fees prohibited. [Effective January 1, 2025.]