R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 § 34-18-26
Access
Operative Text
(a) A tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers, or contractors. (b) A landlord may enter the dwelling unit without consent of the tenant in case of emergency, or, during any absence of the tenant in excess of seven (7) days, if reasonably necessary for the protection of the property. (c) A landlord shall not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Except in case of emergency or unless it is impracticable to do so, the landlord shall give the tenant at least two (2) days' notice of his or her intent to enter and may enter only at reasonable times. (d) A landlord has no other right of access except: (1) Pursuant to court order; (2) As permitted by § 34-18-39; or (3) Unless the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18-26 establishes a mutual framework governing when and how a landlord may enter a rental dwelling. Tenants are expected not to unreasonably block entry for legitimate purposes such as repairs, inspections, or showing the unit to prospective buyers or renters. Landlords, in turn, must generally provide at least two days' notice before entering and may only do so at reasonable times, with limited exceptions for emergencies, extended tenant absences, court orders, or abandonment of the premises. The law explicitly prohibits landlords from using access rights as a tool to harass tenants.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-18-26, compliant property owners and managers typically provide written notice of at least two days before entering a rental unit, schedule entry during reasonable hours, and document the purpose of each visit. Emergency situations or a tenant's absence exceeding seven days may permit entry without prior notice when reasonably necessary to protect the property, but operators generally keep records of such circumstances. Landlords who enter outside the permitted grounds—or who use access in a pattern that could be characterized as harassment—risk violating this provision, which can have legal consequences under Rhode Island's landlord-tenant framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 34-18-26 gives Rhode Island tenants the right to expect advance notice of at least two days before a landlord enters their home, except in genuine emergencies or situations of extended absence. If a landlord enters without proper notice, enters at unreasonable times, or appears to be using access as a form of harassment, these actions may constitute a violation of this provision. Tenants who believe their access rights have been violated can document incidents, raise the violation as a defense in any related legal proceeding, or reach out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information about available remedies.
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
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation