Landlord-tenant law

Rhode Island Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for Rhode Island.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

$
Security Deposit Max
1 month's rent
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19
↩
Deposit Return Deadline
20 days
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b)
!
Non-Payment Eviction Notice
5-day notice to pay or quit
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35(a)
✕
Month-to-Month Termination
30 days
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37(b)
¢
Late Fee Cap
No statutory cap (must be reasonable and disclosed)
⏱
Grace Period
No statutory grace period
Rhode Island specific notes

Providence does not have a significantly stricter local landlord-tenant ordinance beyond state law.

FAQ

Common Rhode Island landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Rhode Island?+
1 month's rent. Governed by R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19. Deposit must be returned within 20 days after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in Rhode Island for non-payment of rent?+
5-day notice to pay or quit. Per R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35(a). This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in Rhode Island?+
30 days. Per R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37(b). This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in Rhode Island?+
No statutory cap (must be reasonable and disclosed). Grace period: No statutory grace period. Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for Rhode Island

Compare

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Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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