Showing ordinances that apply to Harrisville, RI
Harrisville is an unincorporated community (population 1,745) in Providence County, Rhode Island. Because Harrisville is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal code. Instead, Providence County ordinances apply directly to properties here. The rent control rules below are the ones that govern your area.
Rhode Island has no statewide rent control, and Providence County municipalities have not adopted local rent caps. RIGL ยง34-18 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) governs rent increases with notice requirements but no price ceiling.
Rhode Island does not have statewide rent control. Unlike neighboring Massachusetts (which ended rent control in 1994), RI lacks both affirmative rent regulation and a Dillon's Rule-style preemption, leaving cities theoretically free to adopt local controls but none in Providence County have done so. Under RIGL ยง34-18-16.1 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) a landlord may increase rent on a month-to-month tenancy with 30 days' written notice before the effective date; for tenants 62 or older, the notice period is 60 days. Fixed-term leases cannot be increased mid-term. Providence Mayor Smiley and City Council have studied local rent stabilization proposals but none have been enacted. Tenants retain state law protections against retaliation (RIGL ยง34-18-46) for complaints, and habitability standards under ยง34-18-22 require compliance regardless of rent. Security deposits are capped at one month under ยง34-18-19.
Rent increase without 30-day notice: tenant may contest and continue at prior rate until notice runs. Retaliatory rent increase after habitability complaint: prohibited under ยง34-18-46, tenant remedies include damages and attorney's fees. Mid-term lease increase: breach of contract.
See how Harrisville's rent control rules stack up against other locations.
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