Prepare a legally compliant Residential Lease Agreement for Rhode Island that covers all required disclosures and clauses under Rhode Island landlord-tenant law. Fill in your details and download your completed, ready-to-sign Residential Lease Agreement as a professional PDF for $7.99.
Rhode Island law requires specific provisions in rental agreements that secures both lessor and lessee. Security deposits are capped at 1 month rent and must be returned within 20 days. Rhode Island requires 8 specific disclosures in lease agreements.
Rhode Island Lease Requirements
Security Deposit Limit1 month rent
Deposit Return Deadline20 days
Deposit Interest Required Not required
Late Fee CapNo statutory cap
Grace PeriodNo statutory grace period
Landlord Notice (Month-to-Month)30 days written notice by either party (RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-37)
Tenant Notice (Month-to-Month)30 days
Entry Notice2 days (48 hours) advance notice required (RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-26)
Required Disclosures Lead-based paint disclosure (federal law, pre-1978 housing); Rhode Island Lead Hazard Mitigation Law disclosure — for pre-1978 units, landlord must obtain lead hazard mitigation compliance certificate from RIDOH and provide tenant a copy; landlord must disclose lead paint status using state-approved disclosure form (RI Gen. Laws § 42-128.1); Owner or agent name and address for receiving notices and rent (RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-20); Move-in condition checklist — landlord must provide written list of existing defects and tenant has 10 days to return signed copy noting disagreements (RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-15.3); Utility arrangement disclosure if tenant pays for any shared utilities; Disclosure of known material defects or conditions affecting habitability; Fire safety disclosure — smoke and CO detector status; Methamphetamine contamination disclosure if applicable
What to Include in a Rhode Island Residential Lease Agreement
Every Residential Lease Agreement in Rhode Island should include the following vital provisions: identification of the property owner and renter, a complete description of the rental property, the lease term and rent amount, security deposit terms including the amount and return deadline (20 days in Rhode Island), late fee policies that comply with state limits, utility responsibilities, rules regarding pets, smoking, and occupancy limits, maintenance and repair obligations, right of entry provisions, termination and renewal terms, and all state-required disclosures.
Rhode Island law requires landlords to disclose lead-based paint disclosure, rhode island lead hazard mitigation law disclosure — for pre-1978 units, landlord must obtain lead hazard mitigation compliance certificate from ridoh and provide tenant a copy; landlord must disclose lead paint status using state-approved disclosure form, owner or agent name and address for receiving notices and rent, move-in condition checklist — landlord must provide written list of existing defects and tenant has 10 days to return signed copy noting disagreements, utility arrangement disclosure if tenant pays for any shared utilities. Rhode Island has strict lead paint disclosure and remediation requirements for pre-1978 housing; landlord must provide tenant with RIDOH-issued compliance certificate before occupancy (RI Gen. Laws § 42-128.1).
How to Complete a Rhode Island Residential Lease Agreement
To complete a Residential Lease Agreement in Rhode Island, start by gathering the necessary information: full legal names and addresses of all parties, the complete property address, the agreed-upon rent amount and payment terms, and the security deposit amount (limited to 1 month rent in Rhode Island). You will also need to decide on house rules such as pet policies, smoking restrictions, and quiet hours.
Our platform walks you through each section with a guided form that only shows fields required for Rhode Island. Once you have filled in all details, you can preview the document, choose from five professional document styles, and download your completed Residential Lease Agreement as a PDF.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Residential Lease Agreement legally required in Rhode Island?
While Rhode Island does not require a written lease agreement for all tenancies, having a written Residential Lease Agreement protects both landlord and tenant by clearly documenting the terms of the rental arrangement. Written agreements are strongly recommended and may be required for tenancies exceeding one year under the Statute of Frauds.
What is the maximum security deposit in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, security deposits are limited to 1 month rent. Landlords must return the deposit within 20 days after the tenant moves out, minus any lawful deductions for unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, and cleaning costs.
How much notice is required to terminate a lease in Rhode Island?
For month-to-month tenancies in Rhode Island, landlords must provide 30 days written notice by either party (RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-37) notice and tenants must provide 30 days notice. For fixed-term leases, the lease typically ends on the agreed-upon date without requiring additional notice, unless the lease specifies otherwise.
Can I charge a late fee for rent in Rhode Island?
Yes. Rhode Island does not impose a specific statutory cap on late fees, but they must be reasonable. Late fee terms should be clearly stated in the lease agreement.
What disclosures are required for a Rhode Island Residential Lease Agreement?
Rhode Island requires the following disclosures in lease agreements: Lead-based paint disclosure (federal law, pre-1978 housing); Rhode Island Lead Hazard Mitigation Law disclosure — for pre-1978 units, landlord must obtain lead hazard mitigation compliance certificate from RIDOH and provide tenant a copy; landlord must disclose lead paint status using state-approved disclosure form (RI Gen. Laws § 42-128.1); Owner or agent name and address for receiving notices and rent (RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-20); Move-in condition checklist — landlord must provide written list of existing defects and tenant has 10 days to return signed copy noting disagreements (RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-15.3); Utility arrangement disclosure if tenant pays for any shared utilities; Disclosure of known material defects or conditions affecting habitability; Fire safety disclosure — smoke and CO detector status; Methamphetamine contamination disclosure if applicable. Our platform automatically includes all required disclosures for Rhode Island in your generated document.
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