Housing (Tenant Rights)

passed · Rhode Island · House Jun 9, 2026

HB 8215: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RHODE ISLAND FAIR HOUSING PRACTICES ACT

HB 8215 would allow tenants with disabilities to formally request permission to keep emotional support animals in rental housing under Rhode Island's Fair Housing Practices Act. This directly affects renters with disabilities who rely on emotional support animals and landlords who manage rental properties. The key provision requires landlords to consider such requests without automatically denying them, aligning with fair housing standards. The bill does not guarantee approval but establishes a process for tenants to seek accommodations for their disability-related needs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects tenant rights for disability-related housing accommodations under fair housing law by requiring landlords to consider emotional support animal requests without automatic denial.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7655: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Permits a tenant, at the tenant’s expense, to implement energy conservation measures to any dwelling or dwelling unit such as removable weather-stripping around doors and windows.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyPermits tenant-installed energy conservation measures (e.g., weather-stripping), directly increasing residential energy efficiency per bill summary.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill permits tenants to install removable energy conservation measures at their expense, directly enhancing tenant rights and reducing energy costs (a tenant protection under housing topic).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7762: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- FAIR CHANCE IN HOUSING CREDIT REPORTS ACT

Establishes the fair chance in housing credit reports act to provide standards for which a credit report can be used in considering a rental application.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePromotes housing access for individuals with criminal records, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to reduce recidivism through stable housing85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes standards for credit report use in rental applications to prevent housing discrimination, directly supporting tenant protections and fair access to housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2681: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- HOUSING -- STATE-FUNDED RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM

SB 2681 would establish a state-funded rental subsidy program for renters in towns and cities. The bill creates a new state program to provide direct financial assistance toward rental payments for eligible residents. It does not specify eligibility criteria, funding levels, or administrative details in the provided abstract. This bill directly affects qualifying renters and the state government responsible for administering the program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes state-funded rental subsidy program, directly increasing government spending on housing assistance as a public service.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes state-funded rental subsidies for eligible renters, directly advancing affordable housing access through financial assistance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Rhode Island · House May 22, 2026

HB 8000: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS

HB 8000 requires local agencies to provide at least 15 days' written notice to people living in outdoor encampments on public property before removing or relocating them. This applies to homeless individuals and their belongings in temporary shelters, directly affecting those residing in such encampments. Exceptions to the notice requirement include immediate public safety risks (like active construction sites, environmental hazards, or infrastructure repairs). The bill mandates agencies also notify local homelessness outreach services when providing notice, unless one of the five safety exceptions applies. It takes effect upon passage.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires 15-day notice before relocating homeless individuals from encampments, directly protecting vulnerable residents and addressing homelessness through tenant rights safeguards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7764: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

HB 7764 prohibits landlords from using computer algorithms that rely on secret competitor data (like other landlords' rent prices or occupancy rates) to set or adjust residential rent. It directly affects residential landlords, property managers, and agents who use such tools to determine rent amounts. The law bans this practice starting January 1, 2027, with limited exemptions for federal housing programs and basic internal record-keeping. This change aims to prevent opaque, data-driven rent increases based on nonpublic market information. The bill does not restrict algorithms used solely for historical market reporting or compliance with government housing programs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlords from using secret algorithms to set rent, enhancing tenant transparency and protection against opaque pricing practices.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2579: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

SB 2579 increases the notice period landlords must provide to terminate month-to-month tenancies in Rhode Island. For standard month-to-month tenants, landlords must give at least 30 days' written notice before termination; for tenants aged 62 or older, the notice period extends to 120 days. This directly affects renters in month-to-month leases, providing more time to find new housing or address lease issues. The bill amends the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to standardize these notice requirements without changing rent increase procedures.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends notice period to 120 days for seniors, strengthening tenant protections under Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 8108: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Limits rent increases to 4% annually, but allows an additional increase for taxes, insurance, or health and safety costs if the landlord gets an exemption from the secretary of housing, and provides tenants civil remedies for violations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits rent increases to 4% annually with tenant remedies, strengthening tenant protections and affordability per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Rhode Island · Senate Feb 27, 2026

SB 2703: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- PROPERTY TAX/RENT FREEZE BILL

Prohibits cities or towns that implement a rent control ordinance from raising property taxes and such prohibition would last for as long as the rent control ordinance is in effect.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits property tax increases for municipalities with rent control, restricting local government revenue during rent control periods.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits property tax hikes on rent-controlled properties, enabling cities to maintain tenant protections without financial disincentives for rent control ordinances.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Property Taxes Renters Tenant Rights

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died · Rhode Island · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 7803: AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- HOUSING -- STATE-FUNDED RENTAL SUBSIDY PROGRAM

HB 7803 establishes a state-funded rental subsidy program in Rhode Island to help extremely low, very low, and low-income households experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It allocates $25 million from the state general fund (starting July 2026) to provide project-based rental assistance, meaning the subsidy is tied to specific housing units rather than individual tenants. The program requires that tenants pay no more than 30% of their gross income toward rent (after utility allowances), regardless of area median income thresholds, and prioritizes households referred through Rhode Island’s Continuum of Care or Olmstead Plan. The program will be administered by the state’s executive office of housing, ensuring units meet federal safety standards and comply with fair housing laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $25M from state general fund to fund housing subsidies for low-income households, advancing state budget for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes $25M state-funded rental subsidy for low-income households with 30% income rent cap, directly advancing affordable housing access and homelessness prevention.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Housing Finance Renters Tenant Rights

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