Housing (Tenant Rights)

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2262: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Requires effective January 1, 2027, that upon the execution of a lease agreement for a mobile and manufactured homes in a mobile and manufactured home park, a complete copy of the lease be provided to the tenant within ten (10) days of execution.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates lease transparency for mobile home tenants, strengthening tenant rights and housing protections under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2294: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT -- JUST CAUSE EVICTIONS

SB 2294 would require landlords to have a valid "just cause" reason to evict most residential tenants in Rhode Island, rather than allowing evictions without justification at the end of a lease term. It prohibits evictions for reasons like arbitrary tenant preferences, and specifies acceptable grounds such as non-payment of rent (unless the increase was unreasonable), lease violations, or property damage. The law applies to most rental housing, excluding owner-occupied buildings with fewer than four units, sublet properties where the sublessor needs the space, and job-site housing. This bill directly affects renters and landlords under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, aiming to prevent arbitrary displacement.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates just cause for evictions, protecting tenants from arbitrary removal and strengthening tenant rights in housing policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7130: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

HB 7130 modifies the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act by allowing tenants to pay an increased security deposit in monthly installments over 12 months instead of paying the full amount upfront. This provision directly affects residential tenants in rental properties where landlords seek to raise security deposits. The key mechanism is the structured payment plan, replacing a single lump-sum requirement with smaller, manageable monthly payments. The bill focuses on easing financial burdens for tenants facing higher deposit demands without altering the deposit amount itself.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows tenants to pay security deposits in monthly installments, easing upfront financial burdens and strengthening tenant protections under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 2271: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Limits rent increases to no more than 4% annually unless the landlord is granted an exemption by secretary of housing, and provides tenants with civil action to recover damages, including award of attorneys' fees and punitive damages, for any violations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits annual rent increases to 4% and enables tenants to sue for damages with attorney fees, strengthening tenant protections and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 14, 2026

HB 7129: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Amends the residential landlord and tenant act to prohibit the use of algorithmic renting-setting software that relies on nonpublic competitor data to determine rental prices or occupancy levels for residential dwelling units in Rhode Island.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits algorithmic rent-setting using nonpublic competitor data, preventing potential rent inflation and protecting tenants from opaque pricing practices under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits algorithmic software using nonpublic competitor data for rent pricing, restricting tech use in housing market95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

Track

signed · Rhode Island · Senate Jun 18, 2026

SB 2291: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT -- RHODE ISLAND SURVIVOR EARLY LEASE TERMINATION ACT

Grants tenants that are the victim of various forms of abuse including, but not limited to, sexual and domestic abuse and stalking, the right to terminate a lease agreement early without penalty or liability for rent. Effective 7/1/26.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingGrants abuse victims tenant right to terminate leases early without penalty, strengthening tenant protections under housing policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

died · Rhode Island · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 7286: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- HOMELESS BILL OF RIGHTS

Updates the Homeless Bill of Rights law to add rules governing the interaction with encampments and includes the right to access clean and sanitary conditions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects homeless individuals' civil rights (sanitary conditions) during encampment interactions, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing unnecessary criminalization.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingUpdates Homeless Bill of Rights to include encampment interaction rules and right to clean sanitary conditions, strengthening protections for homeless individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

Track

died · Rhode Island · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2305: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves 5-year waiting period and numerical limits for sealing eviction records, directly strengthening tenant rights and reducing barriers to housing stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7285: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Requires effective January 1, 2027, that upon the execution of a lease agreement for a mobile and manufactured homes in a mobile and manufactured home park, a complete copy of the lease be provided to the tenant within 10 days of execution.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates landlords provide tenants with lease copies within 10 days, enhancing transparency and tenant rights in residential agreements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

Track

died · Rhode Island · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 7034: AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RHODE ISLAND FAIR HOUSING PRACTICES ACT

HB 7034 prohibits landlords and housing agents in Rhode Island from asking applicants about prior incarceration or discriminating against them based on that status. It amends the Fair Housing Practices Act to explicitly ban such inquiries and discrimination, protecting individuals who have been released from prison. The bill also maintains existing protections against discrimination based on race, gender, disability, and other factors. This directly affects landlords, rental applications, and formerly incarcerated residents seeking housing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits housing discrimination against formerly incarcerated individuals, advancing criminal justice reform by reducing reentry barriers and protecting civil rights per Fair Housing Act amendments.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits housing discrimination based on prior incarceration, strengthening tenant protections under Rhode Island's Fair Housing Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Corrections Tenant Rights

Track