R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 § 34-18-16.1
Rent increases — Notice requirements
Operative Text
(a) Prior to an increase in rent being imposed by a landlord for a residential tenancy, excluding an independent living facility, assisted living facility, or congregate care facility, notice of the increase shall be given in writing to any tenant by a landlord at least sixty (60) days prior to the effective date of the increase. (b) A landlord of a residential tenancy, excluding an independent living facility, assisted living facility, or congregate care facility, shall give at least one hundred twenty (120) days' notice to month-to-month tenants over the age of sixty-two (62) years, before raising the rent. (c) Provided, however, that nothing in this section shall require a landlord to provide notice of a rent increase on a timeframe that exceeds the timeframe set forth under any other state or federal law or regulation or requirement of any applicable housing program established under state or federal law or regulation.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18-16.1 establishes minimum advance-notice periods that landlords must observe before a rent increase takes effect in most residential tenancies. Standard tenants must receive written notice at least 60 days before the increase, while month-to-month tenants who are 62 years of age or older are entitled to at least 120 days' notice. These requirements do not apply to independent living facilities, assisted living facilities, or congregate care facilities, and they do not override any shorter notice period that may be required under a separate state or federal law or housing program.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-18-16.1, operators of covered residential properties generally deliver written rent-increase notices well in advance of the intended effective date — at minimum 60 days for most tenants and at minimum 120 days for month-to-month tenants who are 62 or older. Compliant operators also verify whether the tenancy is subject to any other state or federal program that specifies its own notice timeline, since § 34-18-16.1 defers to those requirements when they differ. Keeping dated copies of all written notices is a common practice that supports documentation of timely delivery.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 34-18-16.1 gives most Rhode Island residential tenants the right to at least 60 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect, and extends that window to at least 120 days for month-to-month tenants who are 62 or older. If a landlord imposes an increase without providing the required advance written notice, a tenant may have grounds to raise that violation as a defense or basis for relief in a legal proceeding. Tenants who believe their notice rights under § 34-18-16.1 have not been honored can seek information from a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the options available to them.
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
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