Rhode Island Standard Residential Lease Agreement

A Rhode Island standard residential lease agreement is a legally enforceable contract to rent property. It usually lasts one year, but the landlord and tenant can agree on a different term that works for them. The agreement serves as a detailed record of the lease conditions, including the payment schedule and any additional terms, such as acceptable property uses.

• Lease Length Considerations
• Required Disclosures
• Security Deposit
• Rent Payment
• Landlord Resources
• Related Forms

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Lease Length Considerations

• In Rhode Island, a standard residential lease can last up to one year. Leases longer than a year must be in writing, while oral leases are considered valid for shorter periods.
• If there is no agreement on the term of the lease, it defaults to a month-to-month arrangement. If the tenant pays rent weekly, then the default term becomes week-to-week. [1]
• Leases can include an automatic renewal clause. This clause may allow the lease to renew for the same term as the original lease or transition to a month-to-month basis upon expiration.

Required Disclosures

• Lead-based paint disclosure
• Housing code violations
• Identification of management personnel

Visit our Rhode Island lease agreement page for more information on the required disclosures.

Security Deposit

• Maximum Amount ($): One month’s rent. [2]
• Returning to Tenant: Within 20 days. [3]

Rent Payment

• Grace Period: Tenants have a 15-day grace period to pay rent. During this time, the landlord can’t impose late fees on the tenant or initiate eviction proceedings. [4]
• Maximum Late Fee: The state doesn’t limit how much landlords can charge for late fees.
• NSF Fee: A landlord can charge a non-sufficient funds fee of no more than $25 per check. [5]

Landlord Resources

• Landlord-Tenant Laws – Chapter 34-18 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act).
• Handbook – Rhode Island Landlord-Tenant Handbook.

Related Forms

Rhode Island Rental Application

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1. RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-15. http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/title34/34-18/34-18-15.HTM
2. RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a). http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/title34/34-18/34-18-19.HTM#:~:text=19.%C2%A0Security%20deposits.-,(a),-A%20landlord%20may
3. RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b). http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/title34/34-18/34-18-19.HTM#:~:text=month%E2%80%99s%20periodic%20rent.-,(b),-Upon%20termination%20of
4. RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-35(a). http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE34/34-18/34-18-35.htm
5. RI Gen. Laws § 6-42-3. http://webserver.rilegislature.gov//Statutes/TITLE6/6-42/6-42-3.htm

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