The Rhode Island rental lease agreement form is a document landlords and tenants use to formalize the rental arrangement of a property. This contract specifies the terms under which the tenant is allowed to occupy the property, including the lease duration, the rent amount, and any other conditions both parties have agreed upon.
The Rhode Island lease agreement helps protect both the landlord and the tenant. It clearly outlines each party’s duties, including who takes care of the property, who pays for utilities, and how to handle any disagreements. The rental agreement template also covers details about the security deposit, rules about pets, and how either side can end the lease. This makes everything clear from the start, helping to avoid conflicts later.
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Chapter 34-18 of the Rhode Island General Laws contains all the legal rules and guidelines governing landlord-tenant interactions.
Under Rhode Island law, particularly Section 34-18-19, the maximum security deposit a landlord can require from a tenant is one month’s rent. This deposit acts as a financial safeguard for the landlord, intended to cover potential rent defaults or damages to the property over normal wear and tear.
When the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the security deposit to the tenant within twenty days. This can occur after the lease has terminated, the landlord has regained possession of the property, or the tenant has provided a forwarding address. If costs are incurred for cleaning, disposing of left items, or repairs due to damage exceeding normal use, the landlord must provide the tenant with a detailed list of deductions. Furthermore, any outstanding rent can be subtracted from the security deposit before it returns.
Rhode Island law, specifically under Section 34-18-26, outlines the conditions under which a landlord may enter a rented dwelling. The statute protects tenants’ privacy while landlords can maintain and manage their property.
However, the landlord’s right to access the property comes with stipulations to prevent misuse. Landlords may enter a tenant’s dwelling without prior consent only in emergencies or if the tenant has been away for more than seven days and entry is deemed necessary to protect the property. In all other cases, except in emergencies, landlords must provide at least two days’ notice before entering and are restricted to visiting only during reasonable hours to minimize disruption to the tenant.
Landlords in Rhode Island are required to make several disclosures to tenants:
The purpose of these disclosures is to protect renters and establish a transparent and just system for landlords.
| Document Name | Rhode Island Rental Lease Agreement Form |
| Other Names | RI Rental Lease, Rhode Island Residential Lease Agreement |
| Relevant Laws | Rhode Island General Laws, Chapter 34-18 |
| Security Deposit Amount | One (1) month’s rent |
| Security Deposit Return | Twenty (20) days |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 18 minutes |
| # of Fillable Fields | 119 |
| Available Formats | Adobe PDF |
