R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 31-44 § 31-44-5
Reprisals
Operative Text
(a) No licensee shall take reprisal(s) against a resident or prospective resident or association formed pursuant to § 31-44-3.1. (b) An increase in rent, nonrenewal of lease, refusal to offer a lease, or termination of tenancy, taken by a licensee against a resident, prospective resident, or association within six (6) months after the resident, prospective resident, or association has taken any protected lawful action, shall create a rebuttable presumption that the act by the licensee is a reprisal. Reprisal may be pleaded as a defense in any court proceeding brought against a resident or prospective resident after he or she has taken any protected lawful action. (c) In addition to any other remedy under this chapter, a resident, prospective resident, or association who has been the subject of a reprisal shall be entitled to the remedies provided for retaliatory actions in § 34-18-46.
Rhode Island General Laws § 31-44-5 prohibits licensed mobile home park operators from retaliating against residents, prospective residents, or resident associations for exercising legally protected rights. If a licensee raises rent, refuses to renew or offer a lease, or terminates a tenancy within six months of a resident taking a protected lawful action, the law presumes that act is retaliatory — though that presumption can be rebutted. Residents who experience retaliation are entitled to the same remedies available under the state's landlord-tenant retaliation statute, § 34-18-46, in addition to any other remedies the chapter provides.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 31-44-5, compliant mobile home park licensees avoid taking adverse actions — such as rent increases, lease nonrenewals, or termination of tenancy — against residents or prospective residents who have recently exercised protected rights. Because any such action taken within six months of a resident's protected activity automatically triggers a rebuttable presumption of retaliation, operators generally document legitimate, independent business reasons for any tenancy-related decisions made during that window. Maintaining clear, contemporaneous records of the operational or financial basis for such decisions is a practice commonly associated with demonstrating that an action was not retaliatory under § 31-44-5.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 31-44-5 of Rhode Island General Laws gives residents, prospective residents, and resident associations the right to be free from retaliation after taking protected lawful actions — such as organizing, filing complaints, or asserting rights under the chapter. If a licensee takes an adverse action like a rent increase or eviction within six months of such protected activity, the law automatically presumes retaliation, and a tenant may raise that presumption as a defense in any court proceeding brought against them. Tenants who believe they have been subjected to a reprisal may also pursue remedies under § 34-18-46, and consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider can help clarify what options may be available.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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