HB 7758 establishes clear responsibilities for landlords and tenants regarding bed bug infestations in rental properties. Tenants must promptly notify landlords (via written or electronic notice) if they suspect bed bugs, and landlords must arrange a professional inspection within 96 hours. Landlords are responsible for all inspection and treatment costs, while tenants must allow access for inspections and prepare their unit for treatment. The bill also prohibits landlords from renting units known to have bed bugs and requires landlords to inspect adjacent units if an infestation is confirmed.
Adds a provision that allows a tenant to pay the last month's rent or any other prepaid rent. It also increases the amount that a security deposit can be requested from one to two (2) months of rent.
Requires a housing code enforcement officer to give a copy of any housing code violation notice to all tenants of the building affected by a housing code violation along with any hearing dates scheduled for the violation.
Adds a provision that allows a tenant to pay the last month's rent or any other prepaid rent. It also increases the amount that a security deposit can be requested from one to two (2) months of rent.
Removes the five (5) year waiting period for filing a motion to seal an eviction court file. It also deletes the numerical limitation on filing seal requests.
Requires owners or landlords who rent shoreline property to provide their tenants, before the start of the tenancy, with a detailed, written disclosure regarding public shoreline access rights.
HB 8109 would prohibit landlords from evicting tenants from residential housing without a valid legal reason, directly affecting both landlords and renters in rental properties. The bill prevents landlords from removing tenants or attempting to exclude them from their homes, requiring just cause for any eviction. Key provisions include banning no-cause evictions and establishing that landlords must have a legally recognized justification, such as nonpayment of rent or lease violations, to seek removal. This bill aims to strengthen tenant protections by limiting arbitrary displacement in residential housing.
HB 8113 (2026) requires residential landlords to pay interest on security deposits held for tenants. This directly affects landlords who collect security deposits and tenants who provide them. The key provision mandates that landlords pay interest on these deposits, likely calculated at a specified rate, though the exact rate isn't detailed in the abstract. The bill is currently in the introduction stage (referred to House Judiciary on 02/27/2026) and has not yet been voted on or enacted.
HB 8111 would allow tenants to have certain eviction records sealed, making them inaccessible to future landlords or background checks. This directly affects tenants who faced evictions under specific qualifying circumstances, such as disputes over repairs or non-payment due to financial hardship. The key mechanism requires tenants to petition a court to seal records after meeting eligibility criteria, removing them from public access. The bill aims to provide a fresh start for tenants by limiting the long-term impact of past eviction cases.
HB 7765 increases notice periods for landlords terminating month-to-month tenancies or raising rent in Rhode Island. It requires landlords to provide tenants with 60 days' written notice (up from 30 days) before termination or rent increases, and 120 days' notice for tenants aged 62 or older. This directly affects renters in month-to-month leases, giving them more time to adjust or find new housing. The bill amends the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to standardize notice requirements and forms, ensuring clearer communication about lease changes.
