Rhode Island Residential Lease Agreement

A complete, state-specific lease for a house, apartment or condo with every disclosure your state requires.

Free to fill & preview · $19 for the clean PDF + Word

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Rhode Island rules that this document follows

Security deposit limit1 month' rentSource: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a)
Deposit return deadline20 days after move-outSource: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b)
Interest on depositNot requiredSource: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 (no interest requirement)
Late feesNo cap; late fee may not be charged until rent is 15 days lateSource: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35(a)
Landlord entry notice48 hoursSource: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-26(c)
Notice to end month-to-monthLandlord 30 days / Tenant 30 daysSource: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37(b)
Rent increase rulesNo cap; 30 days' written notice for rent increase (60 days if tenant is 62 or older)Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-16.1
Required disclosuresLead-Based Paint (pre-1978); Lead Hazard Mitigation Certificate; Owner/Manager Identification; Housing Code ViolationsSource: Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 34-18

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

How to use this Residential Lease Agreement in Rhode Island

A residential lease in Rhode Island should identify every adult tenant, describe the premises, state the term, the rent and how it is paid, the security deposit and how it will be returned, who pays which utilities, the rules on pets, smoking and subletting, and the disclosures Rhode Island law requires. This generator walks you through each of those items in order and drafts the clauses for you.

Before you start, gather: the legal names and mailing addresses of the landlord and all tenants, the property address, the move-in date, the rent amount and due day, the deposit amount and the bank where it will be held (some states require this), and whether the building was built before 1978 (federal lead-paint rule).

After you preview the document, download the PDF, have every adult tenant and the landlord sign (electronic signatures are valid), give each party a copy, and complete a move-in inspection checklist with photos. Keep the signed lease for at least four years after the tenancy ends.

Frequently asked questions

How much security deposit can a landlord charge in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island caps the security deposit at 1 month' rent (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a)). The generator warns you if you enter more.

When must the deposit be returned in Rhode Island?

Within 20 days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of deductions (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b)).

Does this lease include the disclosures Rhode Island requires?

Yes. Section 14 inserts every statutory disclosure for Rhode Island (4 items, including the federal lead-paint notice for pre-1978 buildings) with its citation.

Is this lease legally binding once signed?

A written lease signed by landlord and all adult tenants is an enforceable contract in Rhode Island. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act and the state UETA. No notarization is required for a residential lease.

Can I use this for a month-to-month rental?

Yes — choose 'Month-to-month' in the Term step. The notice period is set to Rhode Island's statutory minimum.

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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.