Rhode Island rent increase law

Give the tenant written notice at least 60 days before a rent increase takes effect. A month-to-month tenant over the age of 62 gets at least 120 days' notice. Chapter 34-18 limits the notice, not the size of the increase.

R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1

• Independent living, assisted living and congregate care facilities are excluded from both notice periods. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1(a), (b)
• Where another state or federal law or a housing program sets its own timeframe, this section does not require more notice than that. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1(c)
• A rent increase made in retaliation for a code complaint, a repair complaint, joining a tenants' union or using a legal right is prohibited. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46 See Retaliation on the Rhode Island page

Chapter 34-18 regulates the notice for a rent increase, not its amount. Landlords who own and lease property in Providence or Warwick must also register their name, home address and phone number with that city's clerk. City and town ordinances were not read for this page.

R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1 R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-57

• The statewide notice is 60 days, or 120 days for a month-to-month tenant over 62. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1 See Rent increase notice on the Rhode Island page
• A nonresident landlord must file an in-state agent designation with the Secretary of State and the clerk of the city or town where the unit is. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22.3 See Owner and manager disclosure on the Rhode Island page

You may not raise the rent, cut services, or bring or threaten an eviction because the tenant complained to a code enforcement agency about a health and safety violation, complained to you about a maintenance violation, organized or joined a tenants' union, or used any other lawful right.

R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46

• A retaliating landlord faces the lockout remedies: the greater of three months' rent or three times actual damages, plus attorney's fees, and the tenant has a defense to the eviction. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46(b) R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-34
• A complaint made within six months before the landlord's action creates a presumption of retaliation, unless the complaint came after notice of a proposed rent increase or cut in services. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46(b)
• You may still seek possession if the tenant's lack of care caused the violation, the tenant is behind on rent, or code compliance or public action requires work that would displace the tenant and the city's relocation rules are met. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46(c)