Housing (Landlords) in Rhode Island

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 2165: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Grants tenants that are the victim of various forms of abuse including, but not limited to, sexual and domestic abuse and stalking, the right to terminate a lease agreement early without penalty or liability for rent.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

signed · Rhode Island · House Jun 18, 2026

HB 7199: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT -- RHODE ISLAND SURVIVOR EARLY LEASE TERMINATION ACT

Grants tenants that are the victim of various forms of abuse including, but not limited to, sexual and domestic abuse and stalking, the right to terminate a lease agreement early without penalty or liability for rent. Effective 7/1/26.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2267: AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- BED BUGS IN RESIDENTIAL PREMISES ACT

SB 2267 requires tenants to promptly notify landlords in writing or electronically if they suspect bed bugs in their unit. Landlords must arrange for a pest control inspection within 96 hours, cover all inspection and treatment costs (including adjacent units if infested), and provide 48 hours' notice before entering for inspections or treatments. Tenants must allow access and prepare their unit for treatment, but are not required to pay for inspections or treatments unless they unreasonably refuse cooperation. The bill also prohibits landlords from renting out units known to have bed bugs. This directly affects renters and residential property owners in rental housing.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2266: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

SB 2266 bans landlords and property managers from using computer programs (including AI tools) that rely on secret rental data from other landlords or tenants to set or adjust rent for residential properties. It specifically prohibits algorithms using nonpublic competitor data - like actual rent prices, occupancy rates, or lease details - to determine rent amounts or changes. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, with limited exemptions for housing programs, monthly market reports, and basic internal record-keeping systems. It directly affects residential landlords who currently use such tools to price rentals.

Topics ✓ Housing ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights Artificial Intelligence

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2262: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Requires effective January 1, 2027, that upon the execution of a lease agreement for a mobile and manufactured homes in a mobile and manufactured home park, a complete copy of the lease be provided to the tenant within ten (10) days of execution.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2294: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT -- JUST CAUSE EVICTIONS

SB 2294 would require landlords to have a valid "just cause" reason to evict most residential tenants in Rhode Island, rather than allowing evictions without justification at the end of a lease term. It prohibits evictions for reasons like arbitrary tenant preferences, and specifies acceptable grounds such as non-payment of rent (unless the increase was unreasonable), lease violations, or property damage. The law applies to most rental housing, excluding owner-occupied buildings with fewer than four units, sublet properties where the sublessor needs the space, and job-site housing. This bill directly affects renters and landlords under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, aiming to prevent arbitrary displacement.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7130: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

HB 7130 modifies the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act by allowing tenants to pay an increased security deposit in monthly installments over 12 months instead of paying the full amount upfront. This provision directly affects residential tenants in rental properties where landlords seek to raise security deposits. The key mechanism is the structured payment plan, replacing a single lump-sum requirement with smaller, manageable monthly payments. The bill focuses on easing financial burdens for tenants facing higher deposit demands without altering the deposit amount itself.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2271: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Limits rent increases to no more than 4% annually unless the landlord is granted an exemption by secretary of housing, and provides tenants with civil action to recover damages, including award of attorneys' fees and punitive damages, for any violations.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 14, 2026

HB 7129: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Amends the residential landlord and tenant act to prohibit the use of algorithmic renting-setting software that relies on nonpublic competitor data to determine rental prices or occupancy levels for residential dwelling units in Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ Housing ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2291: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT -- RHODE ISLAND SURVIVOR EARLY LEASE TERMINATION ACT

Grants tenants that are the victim of various forms of abuse including, but not limited to, sexual and domestic abuse and stalking, the right to terminate a lease agreement early without penalty or liability for rent. Effective 7/1/26.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

All housing bills