Pawtucket, RI Rental Property Rules: Just Cause Eviction (2026)

Rhode Island is a no-fault termination state for residential tenancies. Under RIGL §34-18-37, a landlord may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by providing 30 days' written notice prior to the start of the next rental period, with no requirement to state a reason. Fixed-term leases end on the stated date without notice unless the lease requires otherwise. For-cause evictions follow accelerated timelines: non-payment of rent requires a 5-day demand notice under §34-18-35 before filing; lease violations require a 20-day notice to cure under §34-18-36; illegal activity allows immediate termination. All evictions must proceed through Rhode Island District Court Housing Calendar - self-help evictions (lockouts, utility shutoff, removing possessions) are illegal under §34-18-44 and expose the landlord to actual damages plus three times the periodic rent. Retaliatory eviction within six months of a tenant's good-faith complaint is prohibited under §34-18-46. Federal Fair Housing Act and RIGL §34-37 prohibit discriminatory evictions.