§ 34-20-11 Termination of tenancy for
failure to pay increased rent imposed as penalty. –
When proceedings commenced under this chapter are to regain possession of the
premises following the alleged termination of a tenancy, if the defendant
alleges and it appears by a preponderance of the evidence that the plaintiff
attempted to increase the defendant's obligations under the letting as a
penalty for the justified lawful acts described in the preceding section, and
that the defendant's failure to perform the additional obligations was a
material reason for the alleged termination, judgment shall be entered for the
defendant on the claim of possession, and all the additional obligations shall
be void.
(P.L. 1968, ch. 55, § 1.)