Rhode Island Rent Increase Notice Requirements (R.I. Gen. Laws Sec. 34-18-16.1)

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.

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.