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Rhode Island Room Rental Agreement

Create Rhode Island Room Rental Agreement

Not a blank template - your details are filled in, formatted to Rhode Island law, and ready to sign.

Draft a legally compliant Room Rental 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 Room Rental Agreement as a professional PDF for $7.99.

Rhode Island law requires specific provisions in rental agreements that secures both rental property owner and occupant. 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 Limit 1 month rent
Deposit Return Deadline 20 days
Deposit Interest Required Not required
Late Fee Cap No statutory cap
Grace Period No statutory grace period
Landlord Notice (Month-to-Month) 30 days Either party may terminate under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37.
Tenant Notice (Month-to-Month) 30 days
Entry Notice 2 days (48 hours) advance notice required (RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-26)
Key Statute Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, RI Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-1 through 34-18-57
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

Rhode Island Room Rental Agreement Checklist

Print this or save it as a PDF to use when preparing and signing the agreement.

Before you sign

  • Both parties read the entire agreement before signing.
  • Walk through the unit together, including all shared spaces.
  • Agree on shared-space rules (kitchen, bathroom, common areas) before signing.
  • Confirm the move-in date and key handover arrangements.
  • Verify the security deposit amount and accepted payment method.

Rhode Island rules to know

  • Security deposit is capped at 1 month rent in Rhode Island.
  • Landlord must return the deposit within 20 days of move-out.
  • Landlord must give 2 days (48 hours) advance notice required (RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-26) before entering the unit.
  • To end a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give 30 days written notice.
  • To end a month-to-month tenancy, the tenant must give 30 days written notice.
  • 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).

In the agreement itself

  • Full legal names of all landlords and tenants.
  • Complete property address, including unit number.
  • Lease term: start date, end date.
  • Monthly rent amount and the due date.
  • Security deposit amount and the conditions for deductions.
  • Description of the private room and any shared areas the tenant may use.
  • Late fee amount and the grace period, if any.
  • Pet policy, smoking policy, and guest policy.
  • Utility responsibilities (which party pays each utility).
  • Signatures of all parties.

Both parties should keep a signed copy. Rhode Island landlord-tenant law governs this agreement (Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, RI Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-1 through 34-18-57).

What to Include in a Rhode Island Room Rental Agreement

Every Room Rental Agreement in Rhode Island should include the following vital provisions: identification of the landlord and tenant, 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 Room Rental Agreement

To complete a Room Rental 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 Room Rental 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 rights does a room renter have in Rhode Island?
Room renters in Rhode Island have rights under landlord-tenant law, including the right to a habitable living space, proper notice before entry (2 days (48 hours) advance notice required (RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-26)), and return of any security deposit within 20 days. A written room rental agreement clearly defines shared space rules, utility splits, and house policies to prevent disputes.
Does a room rental agreement need to cover shared spaces in Rhode Island?
Yes - and this is one of the most important sections of a room rental agreement. The agreement should clearly specify which spaces are exclusive to the renter (their room) and which are shared (kitchen, bathrooms, laundry), along with rules for cleanliness, noise, guests, and parking. Clear shared space rules prevent the most common disputes between housemates.
Is a written lease agreement required in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island does not require written leases for all tenancies, but oral agreements are harder to enforce and provide less protection. Written leases are required for tenancies exceeding one year under the Statute of Frauds. A written Room Rental Agreement clearly documents rent, security deposit terms, house rules, and each party's obligations - reducing disputes significantly.

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