Skip to content
PayByTown

Rhode Island security deposit law

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 · Checked against the statute

Maximum 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)
If the landlord keeps it 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.

Calculate your Rhode Island deadline

Choose your state and move-out date to see when your landlord must return the deposit.

When the deposit must be returned

  • Deliver the itemized notice and the amount due within 20 days after the latest of: the end of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenant giving a forwarding address.

The 20-day clock does not end before 20 days after the tenant gives a forwarding address for the deposit.

Itemized list of deductions

Required: Yes. All deductions must be itemized in a written notice delivered to the tenant.

What can and can't be deducted

The landlord may deduct unpaid rent, reasonable cleaning costs, reasonable trash disposal costs, and physical damage other than ordinary wear and tear caused by the tenant's failure to meet § 34-18-24.

Nonrefundable fees

Any deposit, however named, counts toward the one-month cap. The statute does not otherwise address nonrefundable fees.

Interest, bank account and move-in inspection

  • Interest required: No. No statewide interest requirement.
  • Separate account required: No. The statute does not require a separate account.
  • Move-in inspection required: No. The statute does not require a move-in inspection or condition report.

Penalties and bad faith

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.

No bad-faith showing is required. The penalty applies whenever the landlord fails to comply with § 34-18-19(b).

Getting your deposit back in court

District Court small claims hears contract claims up to $5,000, not counting interest and costs (R.I. Gen. Laws § 10-16-1). Court information

Before filing, many tenants send a written demand first. Write a Rhode Island demand letter →

Also good to know

  • A new owner who holds the landlord's interest when the tenancy ends is bound by this section.
  • A rental agreement cannot waive any part of § 34-18-19.
  • A furniture deposit is returned under its own rule. The landlord may deduct reasonable cleaning and repair costs and damage to the furniture beyond ordinary wear and tear, and must deliver the notice and balance within the same 20-day window (§ 34-18-19(f)).

Sources

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 11, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; see our methodology.