1. What is a Rhode Island Lease Agreement?
If you’re looking to rent out your property, you’ll need a Rhode Island (RI) Lease Agreement written according to Rhode Island’s landlord-tenant laws. The lease agreement creates a binding relationship between you (the landlord) and your tenant. You agree to rent all (or some of) your property for a fee, and in return, the tenant agrees to the terms and conditions you lay out in the document.
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2. What to Include in a Rhode Island Residential Lease Agreement
Federal law mandates that landlords in all states, including Rhode Island, add specific details in their lease agreements. These details include:
- Tenant/Landlord Details: names and current addresses of both the tenant and landlord
- Premises: the address of the premises being rented
- Pets: whether pets are allowed, and any other pet-related rules
- Health Hazards: any known health hazards or risks
- Rent Specifics: the amount of rent and security deposit due, and payment dates and methods
States differ in their leasing and rental requirements. Familiarize yourself with Rhode Island’s landlord-tenant laws to protect your legal and financial rights.
3. Rhode Island Landlord and Tenant Laws
Rhode Island imposes specific and distinct requirements for landlords and tenants when executing a lease or rental agreement. Some of those requirements include:
Relevant Laws:
Security Deposit:
- A landlord can charge up to one month’s rent for a security deposit from a tenant. (§ 34-18-19)
- A landlord must return a tenant’s security deposit within 20 days of the end of the lease (§ 34-18-19)
Landlord Right of Entry:
- A landlord must provide at least two days’ advance notice to a tenant to enter the rental property, and may only enter at reasonable times. (§ 34-18-26)
