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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
What is the maximum security deposit in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, security deposits are capped at 1 month rent. Landlords must return the deposit within 20 days after move-out, minus lawful deductions for unpaid rent and damages beyond normal wear and tear.
Can a landlord charge a late fee in Rhode Island?
Yes. Rhode Island has no statutory cap on late fees, but they must be reasonable. Late fee terms must be clearly stated in the lease.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island requires landlords to give 2 days (48 hours) advance notice required (RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-26) before entering a rental unit for non-emergency purposes. Entry without proper notice may violate tenant rights under Rhode Island landlord-tenant law. Emergency situations such as fire or flood allow immediate entry without advance notice.
What disclosures are required in a Rhode Island residential lease?
Rhode Island requires these disclosures in residential 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, and others. Missing required disclosures can expose landlords to penalties or give tenants grounds to break the lease. Our platform automatically includes all required Rhode Island disclosures.
Does a residential lease need to be notarized in Rhode Island?
No. Rhode Island does not require residential leases to be notarized. A lease is binding once signed by both landlord and tenant. However, leases longer than one year may need to be witnessed or recorded depending on local requirements - check with a local attorney if your lease term exceeds 12 months.
How much notice is required to terminate a lease in Rhode Island?
For month-to-month tenancies, Rhode Island requires landlords to give 30 days written notice by either party (RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-37) notice and tenants to give 30 days notice. Fixed-term leases end on the agreed date without additional notice unless the lease says otherwise.
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