R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 § 34-18-24
Tenant to maintain dwelling unit
Operative Text
A tenant shall: (1) Comply with all obligations primarily imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety; (2) Keep that part of the premises that he or she occupies and uses as clean and safe as the condition of the premises permit; (3) Dispose from his or her dwelling unit all ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste in a clean and safe manner; (4) Keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or used by the tenant as clean as their condition permits; (5) Use in a reasonable manner all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including elevators, in the premises; (6) Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the premises or knowingly permit any person to do so; (7) Conduct himself or herself, and require other persons on the premises with his or her consent to conduct themselves, in a manner that will not disturb his or her neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of the premises; (8) Refrain from using any part of the premises in a manner such as would constitute the maintaining of a narcotics nuisance under the provisions of § 21-28-4.06; (9) Refrain from using any part of the premises or any public property adjacent thereto for the manufacture, sale, or delivery of a controlled substance or from possessing on the premises or any public property adjacent thereto with the intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver a controlled substance classified in schedule I or schedule II of chapter 28 of title 21; and (10) Refrain from any crime of violence on the premises or on any public property adjacent to said premises. A "crime of violence" means and includes any of the following crimes or an attempt to commit any of the following crimes; murder, manslaughter, arson, rape, sexual assault, mayhem, kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault or battery involving grave bodily injury, and a felony assault with intent to commit any offense.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18-24 establishes a set of affirmative duties that tenants must fulfill regarding the condition and use of their dwelling units. The provision requires tenants to keep their space clean and safe, properly dispose of waste, maintain plumbing fixtures, and use building systems responsibly. It also prohibits tenants from damaging the premises, disturbing neighbors, engaging in drug-related activity, or committing violent crimes on or adjacent to the property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-24, compliant property operators typically document the condition of a unit at move-in and move-out to establish a baseline for evaluating whether tenants have met their maintenance obligations. Landlords generally keep records of any reported damage, disturbances, or lease violations that may correspond to the duties enumerated in this section, as such documentation can be relevant in disputes over security deposits or lease termination. Operators familiar with this provision also ensure that lease agreements reference these statutory tenant obligations so that residents are on notice of their responsibilities from the outset.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-18-24 of Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act outlines the responsibilities tenants carry for maintaining their unit and conduct on the premises, including keeping the space clean, avoiding damage, and refraining from drug-related or violent activity. Tenants should be aware that a landlord may cite violations of this section as grounds for lease termination or as a defense against security deposit claims. Tenants who believe a landlord is misapplying this provision—for example, by attributing normal wear and tear to tenant negligence—may wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general information about their options.
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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