R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 § 34-18-2
Purposes — Rules of construction
Operative Text
(a) This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies. (b) Underlying purposes and policies of this chapter are to: (1) Simplify, clarify, modernize and revise the law governing the rental of dwelling units and the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants; (2) Encourage landlords and tenants to maintain and improve the quality and availability of housing; (3) Make more uniform the law relating to residential landlord and tenant relations in those respects in which this chapter follows the "Uniform Residential Landlord — Tenant Act".
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18-2 establishes the foundational purposes behind the state's residential landlord-tenant law. The chapter is designed to be interpreted broadly and generously, with the goals of modernizing rental law, encouraging housing quality, and aligning Rhode Island's rules with the Uniform Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. Courts and agencies applying this chapter are directed to read its provisions in ways that advance these underlying policies rather than in narrow or technical ways.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-18-2, Rhode Island's landlord-tenant law is built on a framework that encourages property owners to maintain and improve housing quality and availability. Because the chapter is to be liberally construed, operators who act in good faith to uphold housing standards are generally aligned with the law's stated purposes. Familiarity with this foundational provision helps property managers understand why other sections of Chapter 34-18 are often interpreted in favor of maintaining habitable, well-managed rental housing.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-18-2 signals that Rhode Island's residential landlord-tenant law is meant to be read broadly to protect the rights of renters and promote housing quality. Because courts are directed to interpret Chapter 34-18 liberally, tenants may find that ambiguous provisions are construed in ways consistent with the law's goals of fairness and modernization. Tenants who believe their rights under Chapter 34-18 have been affected may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand how this interpretive framework applies to their situation.
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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