R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 § 34-18-12
Obligation of good faith
Operative Text
Every duty under this chapter and every act which must be performed as a condition precedent to the exercise of a right or remedy under this chapter imposes an obligation of good faith in its performance or enforcement.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18-12 establishes that every duty and every required act under the state's residential landlord-tenant chapter must be carried out honestly and in good faith. This means that neither party can technically comply with the letter of a requirement while acting in a deceptive or bad-faith manner to undermine its purpose. The obligation applies equally to both the performance of duties and the enforcement of rights or remedies under the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-18-12, property owners and managers are generally expected to act honestly and transparently when carrying out any obligation or exercising any right under Rhode Island's landlord-tenant law. Compliant operators typically ensure that notices, lease enforcement actions, and other required procedures reflect genuine intent rather than pretextual or manipulative motives. Documenting the legitimate business reasons behind decisions—such as lease terminations or entry notices—can reflect the kind of good-faith conduct this provision contemplates.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-18-12 of Rhode Island General Laws gives tenants a basis to challenge landlord actions that appear technically compliant but are carried out in a deceptive or retaliatory manner. If a landlord's enforcement of a right or performance of a duty seems designed to circumvent the purpose of the landlord-tenant chapter, this provision may be relevant to a complaint or legal defense. Tenants who believe a landlord has acted in bad faith may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand how this obligation might apply to their circumstances.
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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