Rhode Island Eviction Notice Law
Rhode Island's notice period for unpaid rent is 5 days (5-day demand notice (rent 15 days in arrears)). For a lease violation it is 20 days, and the tenant gets a chance to fix the problem.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Not legal advice. A defective notice can restart an eviction case; ask a Rhode Island attorney or court self-help center before serving one. See our disclaimer.
Rhode Island eviction notice rules at a glance
| Notice for unpaid rent | 5 days (5-day demand notice (rent 15 days in arrears))R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35, R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-56(a) |
|---|---|
| Notice for a lease violation | 20 days (chance to cure)R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36 |
| Ending a month-to-month tenancy (no-fault) | 30 days (either side)R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37 |
What Rhode Island law says
What notice must a Rhode Island landlord give before filing an eviction for unpaid rent?
Once rent is 15 days in arrears, mail a written demand on the statutory form giving the tenant 5 days from mailing to pay; you may file no earlier than the 6th day after mailing (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35(a)-(b)).
How much notice is required for a lease violation in Rhode Island?
For a material lease violation, mail a written demand on the statutory form giving the tenant 20 days to fix it and a termination date at least 21 days after mailing; if the breach is cured in time, the lease does not end (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36(a)-(b)).
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Rhode Island?
Either party may end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice, in substantially the statutory form, delivered at least 30 days before the date named in it (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37(b)).
How Rhode Island compares
16 of 49 verified jurisdictions use a shorter unpaid-rent notice.
None of Rhode Island's 2 neighbors follows the same rule.
| Unpaid rent · lease violation | States |
|---|---|
| 5 days · 20 days, with cure | Rhode Island |
| 3 days · 15 days, with cure | Connecticut |
| 14 days · no statewide rule | Massachusetts |
Other Rhode Island rules
| Security deposit limit | 1 month's rent (with exceptions)R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a), (e) |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 20 days after the triggering eventR.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b) |
| Late-fee cap | No state capR.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-15(a)(1), (a)(5) (fees beyond rent must be disclosed with the rent; undisclosed fees recoverable), R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-13 (unconscionability), R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 (no section limits late fees) |
| Entry notice | 48 hours' noticeR.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-26 |
| Rent-increase notice | 60 days (Month-to-month tenants over 62: 120 days. Independent living, assisted living and congregate care facilities excluded)R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1, P.L. 2024, ch. 243 (H 7304 Sub A), P.L. 2024, ch. 244 (S 2189 Sub A) |
Read the Rhode Island law
Put the rent due date and notice terms in writing
Related
- Free late rent notice
- Rhode Island lease agreement
- Rhode Island landlord-tenant law
- Eviction notice laws in every state
- Rhode Island notice to vacate
- Rhode Island rent increase notice
- Rhode Island security deposit return letter
- Rhode Island notice of entry
- Rhode Island lease termination letter
- Rhode Island lease renewal letter