R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 31-44.1 § 31-44.1-1

Declaration of policy

In Force
Verified 10/26/2026 · Next check 11/2/2026
effective 10/15/2026Rhode IslandRent Regulation

Operative Text

R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 31-44.1 § 31-44.1-1
The general assembly finds and declares that the provision of affordable housing is
of vital concern to the citizens of the state, that mobile and manufactured homes
are an important source for affordable housing, that lot rent increases for these
homes are a continuing concern for low and moderate income citizens and the elderly,
and that some form of limited regulation relative to lot rental increases for mobile
and manufactured homes is in the public interest.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Rhode Island General Laws ch. 31-44.1 § 31-44.1-1 establishes the foundational policy rationale for the state's regulation of lot rents in mobile and manufactured home communities. The General Assembly recognized that mobile and manufactured homes serve as a critical source of affordable housing, particularly for low- and moderate-income residents and the elderly. This declaration signals that some degree of government oversight over lot rent increases is considered a legitimate public interest, setting the stage for the regulatory provisions that follow in the chapter.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 15, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

As the opening policy statement of R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 31-44.1 § 31-44.1-1, this provision signals that the Rhode Island legislature has determined that lot rent increases in mobile and manufactured home communities warrant regulatory attention. Operators of such communities generally familiarize themselves with the full chapter to understand what forms of limited regulation apply to their rent-setting practices. Staying informed about the policy framework helps owners and managers anticipate the scope of obligations that flow from subsequent sections of this chapter.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 31-44.1 § 31-44.1-1 reflects the Rhode Island legislature's recognition that lot rent increases pose a real concern for mobile and manufactured home residents, especially those with low or moderate incomes and the elderly. This declaration of policy underpins the protections found throughout the rest of the chapter, which tenants may be able to reference when challenging rent increases or asserting rights. Residents who believe their lot rent practices may conflict with this regulatory framework can explore options such as consulting a tenant-rights organization or reviewing the full chapter for applicable protections.

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.

Effective Timeline

Current
Oct 15, 2026
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Purpose

Source Information

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