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Landlord's Desk

State law guide · Checked November 14, 2026

Rhode Island landlord rules: late fees, deposits and rent increases

Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act says nothing on late fee amounts, but it caps deposits and sets a notice period for rent increases. Here is what chapter 34-18 of the General Laws says, with the section for each rule.

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The short version

  • The statute sets no late fee cap and no grace period for late fees. Fees beyond rent must be disclosed in the lease.
  • Deposit limit: one month's periodic rent.
  • Return the deposit, with a written itemized notice of deductions, within 20 days after the later of the tenancy ending, possession being delivered, or the tenant giving a forwarding address.
  • A landlord who wrongly withholds a deposit owes twice the amount withheld plus reasonable attorney fees.
  • Rent increases need 60 days' written notice, or 120 days for month-to-month tenants over 62. The statute sets no cap on the amount.

Late fees in Rhode Island

Limit
None in the statute. R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18
Grace period
None in the statute. A separate eviction rule lets a landlord send a nonpayment notice once rent has been due and in arrears for 15 days. That is not a late fee rule. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35(a)
Other conditions
Fees beyond the rent must be disclosed in the lease, in the same section as the rent. With no written lease, the landlord must give the tenant a written list of fees and 30 days' written notice of any change. A tenant may recover fees paid that were not disclosed. A landlord may not charge a convenience fee on a rent payment. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-15(a), 34-18-61

Security deposits in Rhode Island

Maximum deposit
One month's periodic rent. A separate deposit of up to one month's rent is allowed for furniture when the replacement value of the furniture is $5,000 or more. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a), (e)
Return deadline
20 days after the later of the tenancy ending, delivery of possession, or the tenant giving a forwarding address. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b)
Itemized deductions
Required, in a written notice delivered to the tenant within the same 20 days. Deductions listed in the statute are unpaid rent, reasonable cleaning, reasonable trash disposal, and physical damage beyond ordinary wear and tear. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b)
Interest
The statute doesn't require it. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19
How it's held
No special account or bond in the statute. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19
Penalty
The amount due, plus twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(c)

Rent increases in Rhode Island

Notice to raise rent
Written notice at least 60 days before the increase takes effect. Month-to-month tenants over age 62 get at least 120 days' notice. Independent living, assisted living and congregate care facilities are excluded. The section does not require a longer notice than other state or federal law or a housing program requires. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1(a), (b), (c)
Statewide cap
None in the statute. R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18
City rent control
The statute doesn't address it. Chapter 34-18 has no provision on rent control or on local rent regulation. R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18

This page covers Rhode Island state law for ordinary residential rentals. Cities and counties can add their own rules, and subsidized housing and mobile home lots follow different ones.

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Questions landlords ask

What is the maximum late fee for rent in Rhode Island?

The statute sets none. Chapter 34-18 has no late fee cap and no grace period, but fees beyond rent must be disclosed in the lease (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-15).

What is the maximum security deposit in Rhode Island?

One month's periodic rent (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a)).

How long does a Rhode Island landlord have to return a security deposit?

20 days after the later of the tenancy ending, possession being delivered, or the tenant giving a forwarding address, with deductions itemized in writing (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b)).

Free templates you can use in Rhode Island

These are plain templates that aren’t tied to one state. Fill in the numbers your statute and lease call for.

Keep Rhode Island rent and deposits on one ledger

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This guide is general information, not legal advice. It summarizes state statutes as read on November 14, 2026; laws change and courts interpret them. Check the current statute (R.I. General Laws, chapter 34-18) or talk to a local attorney before you act.