Rental Property Rules in Providence, RI (2026)

R.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...

City Code § 13-65 (see also §§ 13-63, 13-64, 13-66)

Any owner of a multi-unit dwelling, as defined herein, shall annually register the property with the department of inspections and standards. Registration shall consist of...Property owner's address (which shall not be a P.O. Box), telephone number, and email address...In the event the property owner resides or is located outside of the state of Rhode Island, said property owner shall also prov...

R.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...

R.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 ...

R.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...

Providence Code of Ordinances § 13-5

The City of Providence shall follow and enforce the State of Rhode Island Property Maintenance Code codified by the Property Maintenance Code for the State of Rhode Island, hereinafter referred to as SBC-6, and administered by R.I.G.L. 1956 § 23-27.3-100 et seq.