Rhode Island Standard Residential Lease Agreement

A Rhode Island standard residential lease agreement outlines the terms and restrictions of a one-year lease of a rental property. The tenant and landlord must each sign this legally binding contract and agree to the conditions and responsibilities required of both parties. This agreement covers items such as rent amount, rent due date, security deposit, fees, prohibited activities, and other important information.

Last updated October 25th, 2024

A Rhode Island standard residential lease agreement outlines the terms and restrictions of a one-year lease of a rental property. The tenant and landlord must each sign this legally binding contract and agree to the conditions and responsibilities required of both parties. This agreement covers items such as rent amount, rent due date, security deposit, fees, prohibited activities, and other important information.

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Disclosures

Code Violations (conditional) – If there are any code violations on the rental property, the tenant must be aware of the offenses before signing the lease agreement. (§ 34-18-22.1(b))

Landlord Identification – The tenant must know the property manager or owner’s name, address, and phone number. (§ 34-18-20)

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure – A rental property built before 1978 may contain harmful lead paint. Therefore, the landlord must notify the tenant of its possible presence. (EPA/HUD Fact Sheet)

Rent Grace Period

There is no rent grace period in Rhode Island. The landlord may charge a late fee if rent is not paid on time.

Security Deposit

Maximum Amount – In Rhode Island, a landlord may charge a security deposit of one month’s rent at most. (§ 34-18-19(a))

Returning – The longest the landlord may hold the security deposit after the lease ends is 20 days. (§ 34-18-19(b))

  • Deductions – The landlord must provide a detailed list of deductions to the tenant if they do not refund their full security deposit and must do so within 20 days of the lease’s end. (§ 34-18-19(b))