Rhode Island Rental Application

A landlord's tenant application with lawful screening questions, fee disclosure and FCRA consent, adjusted to your state's rules.

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Rhode Island rules that this document follows

Application fee limitactual costSource: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-59 (no rental application fee; landlord may charge only the actual cost of the official state background check and/or credit report, eff. 1/1/2024)
Refund ruleNo fee may be charged if the applicant provides their own background check or credit report dated within 90 days; applicant charged a fee must receive a copy of the reportSource: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-59 (no rental application fee; landlord may charge only the actual cost of the official state background check and/or credit report, eff. 1/1/2024)
Must give applicant a copy of screening reportYes
Criminal-history questionsNo state limit; HUD guidance requires individualized assessmentSource: No state limit
Source of income protectedYes — vouchers and other lawful income must be consideredSource: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-37-4 (lawful source of income incl. housing assistance, 2021)
Additional protected classesancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lawful source of income, housing status, status as a victim of domestic abuse, military status

Rules current as of 2026-09-07. Statutes change; verify before relying on them.

How to use this Rental Application in Rhode Island

Use one application per adult. Collect the Social Security number only on the signed paper copy, never by email. Apply the same written criteria to every applicant and keep denied applications for at least two years in case of a fair-housing inquiry.

Charge only a fee that Rhode Island permits, give a receipt, and if you deny based on a consumer report send the FCRA adverse-action notice within a few days.

Frequently asked questions

Can a landlord charge an application fee in Rhode Island?

Rule: actual cost (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-59 (no rental application fee; landlord may charge only the actual cost of the official state background check and/or credit report, eff. 1/1/2024)).

What questions are illegal on a rental application?

You may not ask about race, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability, nor about arrests without conviction. Rhode Island adds: ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, lawful source of income, housing status, status as a victim of domestic abuse, military status. This form omits those questions automatically.

Do I have to give the applicant a copy of the screening report?

Yes — Rhode Island requires it on request or with a denial, in addition to the federal FCRA adverse-action notice.

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Other states

FormsByState provides self-help document templates and general information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm. For advice about your situation consult a licensed attorney in your state.