Rhode Island Rental Lease Agreement Templates

Types (6)

Commercial Lease Agreement

Sets the rules and obligations that a business-owning tenant and landlord must follow until the lease ends. Average contract length: 3 to 5 years.

Lease to Own Agreement (PDF)

Combines elements from standard leases and purchase agreements. Gives tenants the option of purchasing the leased premises at the end of the lease.

Month-to-Month Lease Agreement

A lease that can be ended by either party so long as the appropriate notice is given. Commonly used by landlords who own vacation homes or other property types that cannot be leased for full 1-year periods.

Roommate Agreement (PDF)

Used for promoting open communication among tenants that share a single leased unit, home, or building. Formed exclusively among tenants (no landlord signature required).

Standard Residential Lease Agreement

For leasing property on a yearly basis. Features the necessary conditions to stay in line with RI landlord-tenant law.

Sublease Agreement (PDF)

Completed by those currently bound by a lease (sublessors), for the purpose of setting rules that a new tenant (the sublessee) must follow. Sublessors should receive permission from their landlord prior to completing and signing.

What is a Rhode Island Lease Agreement?

A Rhode Island lease agreement is a contract that formalizes the terms of a rental between a property owner and tenant. It records each side’s obligations and serves as the governing document for the tenancy.

Rhode Island’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act requires landlords to keep all rental units in habitable condition and to make repairs within 20 days of receiving written notice.[5] Tenants may deduct the cost of emergency repairs from rent if the landlord fails to act within a reasonable time.

State Laws & Guides

Laws: Ch. 34-18 – “Residential Landlord and Tenant Act”

Landlord-Tenant Guides / Handbooks

• Rhode Island Landlord-Tenant Handbook.pdf
• Rhode Island – “Your Rights as a Tenant”.pdf

When is Rent Due?

Rent has to be paid at the time and place as agreed upon by the landlord and tenant(s).[3] Unless there is an agreement to the contrary, rent for fixed-term tenancies is payable in equal monthly installments at the beginning of each month. For terms of 1 month or less, rent is payable at the beginning of the term. There is no state statute offering a grace period to tenants.

Landlord’s Access

Emergency: Landlords can legally enter in the event of an emergency.[4] They may also enter without prior consent during any absence of the tenant in excess of 7 days, so long as making entry is necessary for the protection of the rental unit or building.

Non-Emergency: Landlords need to provide tenants with 2 days’ notice prior to making entry (unless impractical to do so), and can only enter at reasonable times.[4]

Landlord’s Duties

Landlords are required to uphold the following obligations for tenants they signed a lease contract with:[5]

1. Maintain all common areas and keep them clean and safe for use by tenants.
2. Provide tenants with a means of disposing of their trash and rubbish and arrange for consistent removal.
3. Comply with all state and local building and housing codes that relate to the health and safety of tenants.
4. Make whatever repairs are necessary to keep the rental fit for habitation.
5. Unless not required by law or local statutes, provide tenants with constant running water, adequate amounts of hot water, and heat between October 1st and May 1st.[10]
6. Provide tenants with safe and working electrical, HVAC, and plumbing, and other services as guaranteed by the written lease.

Tenant’s Duties

In Rhode Island, the obligations of tenants are as follows:[6]

1. Remove trash from the rental in a manner that is clean and safe.
2. Do not commit crime or violence on the premises.
3. Do not use the rental unit or surrounding premises for illegal drug-related activity.
4. Do not use any part of the premises in a manner that would constitute maintaining a narcotics nuisance under § 21-28-4.06.
5. Maintain compliance with all applicable codes relating to safety and health.
6. Keep the rental unit as clean and safe as reasonable.
7. Do not destroy, damage, remove, or deface any part of the premises (or allow another individual to do so).
8. Use all systems (plumbing, HVAC, electrical, elevators, etc.) in the manner in which they are meant to be used.
9. Keep plumbing and other systems located inside the rental unit in clean condition.
10. Act in a way that does not disturb other tenants’ peaceful enjoyment of their rental or the premises.

Required Disclosures

• Code Violations[7] – Landlords must deliver a copy of any notice of housing code violation to each tenant of the building or home affected by the violation within 30 days after receiving the notice. Until the landlord fixes the violations, all prospective tenants must be informed before signing a rental contract.
• Foreclosure Notification[8] – If a landlord is delinquent on a mortgage for the rental property for 120 days, they must notify the tenant(s) that the property could be subject to foreclosure.
• Lead Paint Disclosure – If the rental dwelling was built before 1978 and the landlord is aware of any lead paint hazards in the dwelling, they must disclose the information to the tenant(s). Landlords must also provide tenants with a brochure that outlines the dangers of lead hazards in the home.
• Names, Addresses, and Phone Numbers[8] – Landlords must disclose, in writing, the names, addresses, and numbers of the person(s) authorized to manage the premises in addition to the owner of the property or the person authorized to act on the owner’s behalf.

Security Deposits

Maximum: Landlords cannot demand tenants to pay a security deposit valued at more than 1 month’s rent.[9]

Returning to Tenant: Landlords must return security deposits to tenants within 20 days after the latest of the following: 1) the termination of the tenancy, 2) after the tenant has moved out of the rental, or 3) after the tenant has provided a forwarding address.

Uses of the Deposit: Landlords can deduct unpaid rent, cleaning expenses (as reasonable), trash disposal expenses, and actual damage to the rental or premises (other than standard wear and tear) from a tenant’s security deposit.