ROOM) ACT (Expands access to inherently affordable housing by re-legalizing co-living/single-room occupancy (SRO) and shared dwelling models of many types.
Creates the division of civil representation within the department of housing and require civil representation by a Designated Legal Organization to provide legal representation to all tenants who qualify in eviction proceedings.
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.
HB 7044 establishes an 11-member committee to develop regulations for homeless shelters in Rhode Island. The committee, including homeless individuals, advocates, shelter providers, and housing officials, will draft standards covering access policies, residents' rights, health and safety protocols, and emergency operations. These regulations will ensure shelters provide non-discriminatory services, prohibit fees, protect privacy, and maintain safe environments for residents. The bill does not immediately implement rules but creates a process for developing them through the committee's recommendations.
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.
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.
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.
Requires a housing code enforcement officer to give a copy of any housing code violation notice to all tenants of the building affected by an alleged housing code violation, along with any hearing dates scheduled for the violation.
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.
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.
