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Eviction notices in Rhode Island

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35; § 34-18-36; § 34-18-56; § 34-18-10; § 34-18-44 · Checked against the statute

Unpaid rent
5 days (pay or move out)
Lease violation
20 days (fix it or move out)
Serious or repeat violation
20 days

Rhode Island eviction notice deadline

Choose the state, the type of notice and the date it was served.

Notice for unpaid rent

When rent is 15 days in arrears, the landlord must send a written 5-day demand notice (substantially in the form in § 34-18-56(a)) stating the amount owed. If the tenant does not pay within 5 days of the date of mailing, the landlord may file, but no earlier than the 6th day after mailing (§ 34-18-35(a)-(b)).

Can the tenant pay to stop it? The tenant can stop the eviction by paying all rent in arrears within 5 days of the date the notice was mailed (and in any case before suit is filed). If the tenant has not received a demand notice in the prior 6 months, the tenant can also cure after suit by paying all arrears plus court costs at the hearing.

The rent must be at least 15 days late before the notice can be served.

Type:
Pay or move out
Notice period:
5 days
Law:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35; § 34-18-56(a)

Notice for a lease violation

For a material breach of the rental agreement or of § 34-18-24 affecting health and safety, the landlord must deliver a written notice (form in § 34-18-56(b)) describing the breach and what is needed to fix it, stating that unless fixed within 20 days of mailing the agreement ends on a date at least 21 days after mailing. The landlord may file no earlier than the day after that termination date (§ 34-18-36(a)-(b)).

Chance to fix it: The tenant has 20 days from the mailing of the notice to remedy the breach; if remedied, the lease does not end.

Type:
Fix it or move out
Notice period:
20 days
Law:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36(a)-(b)

Serious, repeat or illegal-activity violations

If substantially the same breach recurs within 6 months, the landlord may terminate on at least 20 days' written notice with no chance to cure (§ 34-18-36(e)). For violations of § 34-18-24(8)-(10) (narcotics nuisance, drug manufacture/sale/delivery, or crimes of violence on or adjacent to the premises), and for certain seasonal tenants charged with occupancy or noise violations, no notice is required and the landlord may file immediately (§ 34-18-36(f)).

When it applies: A repeat of substantially the same breach within 6 months of a good-faith notice; or (with no notice at all) narcotics nuisance, drug manufacture/sale/delivery, or crimes of violence on or next to the premises.

Notice period:
20 days
Law:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36(e)-(f); § 34-18-24

How the days are counted

Both notices run from the date of mailing, not receipt (§§ 34-18-35, 34-18-36). The nonpayment case may be filed no earlier than the 6th day after mailing; the noncompliance case no earlier than the day after the termination date in the notice. The statute does not exclude weekends or holidays and adds no extra days for mail.

How the notice must be delivered

The statutory forms are sent by regular first-class U.S. mail, with the landlord signing a certificate of mailing (§ 34-18-56(a)-(b)).

If the tenant doesn't pay, fix it or leave

The landlord files a complaint for eviction in the district court (or housing court). In nonpayment cases the hearing is set 14 to 24 days after filing, the tenant must be served at least 5 days before the hearing, and the tenant may answer before or at the hearing (§ 34-18-10(a); § 34-18-35(c)). In other cases the tenant has 20 days from service to answer (§ 34-18-36(c)). A landlord may not take possession by lockout or by cutting heat, water, electricity, gas or other essential services (§ 34-18-44); a tenant who is unlawfully ousted may recover up to 3 months' rent or three times damages plus fees (§ 34-18-34).

Also good to know

  • Tenants in foreclosed residential properties have separate just-cause protections (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-38.2).
  • If the tenant received a demand notice within the 6 months before filing and the nonpayment was willful, the landlord may also recover reasonable attorney's fees (§ 34-18-35(d)).

Related

Sources

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 13, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; if you have an eviction case, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.