MakeLease is in early access — early users help shape what we build next.

Rhode Island Security Deposit Law

A Rhode Island landlord may collect up to 1 month's rent as a security deposit, with 1 exception to that limit. It must refund the deposit, or an itemized list of deductions, within 20 calendar days after the triggering event.

Last verified: 2026-10-28 · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed

Rhode Island deposit rules

Rhode Island security deposit rules at a glance
Rule	What the law says
Deposit limit	1 month's rent (with exceptions)R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a), (e)
Return deadline	20 days after the triggering eventR.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b)
Itemized deductions	RequiredR.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b)
Interest on deposit	Not required statewideR.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 (silent on interest)

Maximum deposit

Landlords may not demand or receive a security deposit above one month's periodic rent, plus a separate furniture deposit of up to one month's rent only when the furniture provided is worth $5,000 or more (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a), (e)). (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a), (e))

One month's periodic rent; a separate furniture deposit of up to one more month is allowed for furnished units with furniture worth $5,000 or more

Exceptions

Furnished unit whose landlord-supplied furniture is worth $5,000 or more at lease signing: separate furniture security deposit of up to one month's rent → 2 months' rent

Return deadline

Landlords must deliver the itemized notice and any deposit balance within 20 days after the latest of tenancy termination, delivery of possession, or the tenant giving a forwarding address (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b)). (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b))

Itemized statement of deductions

Deductions for unpaid rent, reasonable cleaning and trash removal, and damage beyond ordinary wear and tear must be itemized in a written notice sent with any balance within the 20-day period (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b)). (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b))

Interest on the deposit

Rhode Island law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 is silent). (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 (silent on interest))

Penalty for wrongful withholding

A landlord who does not comply with the deposit-return rules owes the tenant the amount due plus damages of twice the amount wrongfully withheld and reasonable attorney fees (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(c)). (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(c), (h))

More Rhode Island deposit rules

Where the deposit is held

Rhode Island does not require deposits to be held in a separate or escrow account; § 34-18-19 governs only the amount, the 20-day return and damages (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19). (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19)

Receipt or written notice of the deposit

No Rhode Island statute requires a deposit receipt or a notice of where the deposit is held (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19). (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19)

Move-in condition checklist

Rhode Island landlords are not required by statute to complete a move-in inspection or condition report (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19). (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19)

Pet deposits

A Rhode Island pet deposit is still a security deposit 'however denominated,' so it must fit inside the one-month cap rather than sit on top of it (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a)). (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19)

Nonrefundable fees

Rhode Island requires every fee beyond rent to be disclosed next to the rent in the lease, or in writing when there is no lease, with 30 days' written notice before a fee changes (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-15(a)(1)-(2)). (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-15(a), R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-59, R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-61)

Undisclosed fees can be recovered by the tenant (§ 34-18-15(a)(5)); rental application fees are banned except the actual cost of a background or credit report the applicant did not supply (§ 34-18-59); and convenience fees on rent are banned unless a fee-free payment method is offered (§ 34-18-61).

Small-landlord exemptions

Rhode Island's one-month deposit cap and 20-day return rule cover small and owner-occupied landlords alike; the Act's exclusions concern institutional, transient-lodging, cooperative and similar arrangements (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-8). (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-8, R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19)

Deposit alternatives and installments

Rhode Island has no statute on surety bonds, deposit-waiver products or paying a deposit in installments (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19). (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19)

How Rhode Island compares

Rhode Island shares its 1-month cap with 14 other states among the 50 states and DC. Its 20 days return window: 8 faster, 39 longer.

Rhode Island and neighboring states: security deposit rules
State	Deposit limit	Return deadline	Itemized deductions
Rhode Island	1 month's rent (with exceptions)R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a), (e)	20 days after the triggering eventR.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b)	RequiredR.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b)
Connecticut	2 months' rent (with exceptions)	21 days after the lease ends	Required
Massachusetts	1 month's rent	30 days after move-out	Required

Rhode Island deposit return deadline calculator

Start date

Example: Deadline: Friday, February 20, 2026

20 calendar days after the triggering event on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

Weekend and holiday flags use the federal holidays in 5 U.S.C. § 6103; Rhode Island state holidays are not checked.

Maximum deposit in Rhode Island

Monthly rent (USD)

Example: $2,000 a month

Maximum deposit: $2,000 (1 month's rent × $2,000; R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a), (e))

Where an exception applies

Furnished unit whose landlord-supplied furniture is worth $5,000 or more at lease signing: separate furniture security deposit of up to one month's rent: $4,000 (2 months' rent)

Put the deposit terms in a lease

Write a deposit of no more than 1 month's rent and the 20-day return window into a Rhode Island lease. Creating it is free with no card; an account is needed to save or e-sign.

Create a Rhode Island lease

Report an outdated or wrong rule