Rhode Island Statewide Rule
Rhode Island Rent Increase Notice Requirements (R.I. Gen. Laws Sec. 34-18-16.1)
Key Facts
- Standard notice
- 60 days written (Sec. 34-18-16.1)
- Tenants 62 or older
- 120 days written (month-to-month)
- Statewide rent control
- None
- Cap on increase amount
- No statutory limit
Summary
Rhode Island has no rent control, but R.I. Gen. Laws Sec. 34-18-16.1 requires a landlord to give written notice at least 60 days before any residential rent increase takes effect. Month-to-month tenants over the age of 62 must receive at least 120 days' written notice before the rent is raised.
§ 34-18-16.1. Rent increases — Notice requirements. (a) Prior to an increase in rent being imposed by a landlord for a residential tenancy, excluding an independent living facility, assisted living facility, or congregate care facility, notice of the increase shall be given in writing to any tenant by a landlord at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of the increase. (b) A landlord of a residential tenancy, excluding an independent living facility, assisted living facility, or congregate care facility, shall give at least one hundred twenty (120) days’ notice to month-to-month tenants over the age of sixty-two (62) years, before raising the rent. (c) Provided, however, that nothing in this section shall require a landlord to provide notice of a rent increase on a timeframe that exceeds the timeframe set forth under any other state or federal law or regulation or requirement of any applicable housing program established under state or federal law or regulation. History of Section. P.L. 1986, ch. 222, § 1; P.L. 2005, ch. 397, § 1; P.L. 2024, ch. 243, § 1, effective June 24, 2024; P.L. 2024, ch. 244, § 1, effective June 24, 2024.
Full Breakdown
Under R.I. Gen. Laws Sec. 34-18-16.1, 'notice of the increase shall be given in writing to any tenant by a landlord at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of the increase' for a residential tenancy, excluding independent living, assisted living, and congregate care facilities. The statute gives older tenants extra protection: a landlord 'shall give at least one hundred twenty (120) days' notice to month-to-month tenants over the age of sixty-two (62) years, before raising the rent.' Rhode Island sets no cap on the amount of an increase, so the dollar figure is a matter of contract, but the advance-notice timeline is mandatory and the increase cannot take effect sooner.
Violations & Penalties
No statutory fine for the increase itself, but a rent increase imposed without the required 60-day (or 120-day for tenants over 62) written notice is unenforceable until proper notice has run, and a tenant may contest a premature increase in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice must a Rhode Island landlord give before raising rent?
Is there a limit on how much a Rhode Island landlord can raise the rent?
Sources
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