Skip to content
PayByTown

Rent increases in Rhode Island

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1 (as amended by P.L. 2024, ch. 243 & 244); § 34-18-37; § 34-18-46 · Checked against the statute

Notice
60–120 days
Statewide cap
No statewide cap
During a lease
No state statute
Local rent control
No state law on it

When can a rent increase start in Rhode Island?

Choose the state and the date the notice is given.

How much notice is required

Written notice at least 60 days before the increase takes effect. Month-to-month tenants over 62 must get at least 120 days' notice. Independent living, assisted living and congregate care facilities are excluded. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1)

Applies toWhenNotice
Any tenancy—60 days
Month-to-monthtenant over 62120 days
  • The notice must be in writing.

Example: a notice handed over on November 2, 2026 in Rhode Island

Earliest date the new rent can start, with rent due on the 1st, worked out from the Rhode Island rule above:

  • For a month-to-month tenant of 1 year raising rent 5% or a month-to-month tenant of 3 years raising rent 12% or a week-to-week tenant raising rent 5%: Friday, January 1, 2027

Raising rent during a lease

No Rhode Island statute addresses raising rent during a fixed-term lease.

City and county rent control

No Rhode Island statute expressly allows or bars local rent control. Providence's 2026 rent stabilization ordinance (4% cap) passed but was vetoed, and the override failed on May 15, 2026. No city currently limits rent. (Providence City Council, Rent Stabilization)

Retaliatory rent increases

A landlord may not raise rent in retaliation for any of these: a complaint to a code-enforcement agency, a complaint to the landlord under § 34-18-22, joining a tenants' union, or using other lawful rights. A complaint made within 6 months before the increase creates a presumption of retaliation. There is no presumption if the complaint came after notice of the increase. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46)

Also good to know

  • The 120-day tier applies only when the tenant is over 62 (tier key tenantAgeOver: 62).
  • If another state or federal law, or a housing program, requires notice, the landlord need not give more than that timeframe (§ 34-18-16.1(c)).
  • Until June 24, 2024 the notice was 30 days (60 for tenants over 62).
  • To end a periodic tenancy: 10 days' written notice for week-to-week, 30 days for month-to-month, 3 months for year-to-year (§ 34-18-37).
  • No statewide limit on the amount or frequency of rent increases. 2025–2026 bills for a 4% statewide cap (H 5264, S 580, S 2271) are not in the General Laws.

Other Rhode Island renting rules in numbers

Security deposit
No more than one month's rent. If the landlord supplies furniture worth $5,000 or more, a separate furniture deposit of up to one more month's rent is allowed. Return deadline: 20 days (see details).
Tenant's notice to move out
30 days, ending with a rental period
Notice for unpaid rent
5 days (pay or move out)
How a written notice is delivered (eviction-notice rules)
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)).
Notice for other lease violations
20 days (fix it or move out)
Small claims court limit
$5,000 — where most deposit and rent disputes are filed.
Repairs
Time to repair: 20 days. Repair and deduct: allowed with limits; withholding rent: allowed with limits.
Deposit kept wrongly
The tenant recovers the amount due plus damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees (§ 34-18-19(c)). If nothing was returned, that totals three times the amount wrongfully withheld.
Lawful reasons to end a lease early
Domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking; Age, illness or disability; Unit unlivable or landlord fails to repair; Landlord harassment or illegal entry

Sources

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 15, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; for a dispute, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.