Rental Property Rules in Providence, RI (2026)
8 verified rental property rules for Providence, Rhode Island, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Rhode Island General Laws Title 34, Chapter 18 partially preempts local rent regulation, leaving Providence without classic rent control while still permitting inclusionary zoning and tenant protections.
Limited Rent Rules Under RI Preemption
Few RestrictionsR.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)
A landlord shall: Comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes affecting health and safety; Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition; Keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition; Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ven...
Just Cause Eviction
Providence Code Chapter 17, Section 17-216, adopted in 2017, requires landlords to state and document a just cause before terminating or refusing to renew certain residential tenancies within the city.
Providence Just Cause Eviction Ordinance
Heavy RestrictionsRental Registration
Providence requires landlords to register residential rental properties with the city so units can be tracked for code, lead-safety, and just-cause-eviction compliance under Chapter 17 of the city code.
Rental Registration in Providence
Some RestrictionsRelocation Assistance
Providence ties relocation assistance most directly to the Rhode Island Lead Hazard Mitigation Act under General Laws Chapter 42-128.1, which can trigger relocation when units are unsafe for children.
Relocation Help and Lead Hazards
Some RestrictionsR.I. Gen. Laws § 42-128.1-8
Property owners of pre-1978 rental dwellings shall: Learn about lead hazards by taking a lead hazard awareness seminar; Evaluate the dwelling and premises for lead hazards consistent with lead hazard control evaluation standards; Correct identified lead hazards by meeting and maintaining the lead hazard mitigation standard; Provide tenants with basic information about lead control, a copy of th...
Security Deposit Rules
Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 34-18 caps residential security deposits at one month's rent and sets return procedures that Providence landlords must follow under state preemption.
Security Deposits Under RI Law
Some RestrictionsR.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19
A landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess of one month's periodic rent. Upon termination of the tenancy, property or money held by the landlord as security may be applied to the payment of accrued rent and the amount of damages that the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance... The balance, if any, and a ...
No-Fault Evictions
No-fault evictions in Providence are restricted by the Just Cause Eviction Ordinance at Section 17-216 and by Rhode Island Chapter 34-18 notice rules limiting non-renewal without a defined reason.
No-Fault Evictions in Providence
Heavy RestrictionsTenant Anti-Harassment
Providence tenants are protected from harassment and retaliation through Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 34-18 and city Just Cause Eviction enforcement under Chapter 17 Section 17-216.
Tenant Anti-Harassment Protections
Some RestrictionsR.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46
Except as provided in this section, a landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession because: (1) The tenant has complained to a governmental agency charged with responsibility for enforcement of a building or housing code of a violation applicable to the premises materially affecting health and safety; (2) Th...
Section 8 Voucher Acceptance
Rhode Island fair-housing law generally bars landlords from refusing tenants solely because they pay rent with a Housing Choice Voucher or other lawful subsidy, and Providence reinforces this locally.
Source-of-Income Protections in RI
Some RestrictionsLooking for Providence County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Providence city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Providence County →