R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 § 34-18-34
Tenant's remedies for landlord's unlawful ouster, exclusion, or diminution of service
Operative Text
If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant from the premises or willfully diminishes services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of heat, running water, hot water, electric, gas, or other essential service, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the rental agreement and, in either case, recover an amount not more than three (3) months periodic rent or threefold the actual damages sustained by him or her, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney's fees. If the rental agreement is terminated the landlord shall return all security recoverable under § 34-18-19 and all prepaid rent.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18-34 addresses situations where a landlord unlawfully locks out a tenant or deliberately cuts off essential services such as heat, hot water, electricity, or gas. When such conduct occurs, the law allows the tenant either to reclaim possession of the rental unit or to end the rental agreement entirely. In either case, the tenant may seek damages equal to the greater of three months' rent or three times actual damages, plus reasonable attorney's fees, and if the agreement is terminated, the landlord must return any security deposit and prepaid rent.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-34, property owners and managers are expected to maintain continuous access to the rental unit and uninterrupted essential services — including heat, running water, hot water, electricity, and gas — for all tenants throughout the tenancy. Operators who interrupt these services or restrict a tenant's access to the premises, even indirectly, expose themselves to significant financial liability, including damages calculated at up to three times actual harm or three months' rent, whichever is greater, along with the tenant's attorney's fees. Compliant operators document all maintenance-related service interruptions carefully, provide advance notice where possible, and restore services promptly to demonstrate that any disruption was not willful.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18-34 gives tenants meaningful remedies if a landlord unlawfully locks them out or deliberately shuts off essential services like heat, hot water, or electricity. Affected tenants may choose to reclaim possession of the unit or terminate the rental agreement, and in either case may pursue damages of up to three months' rent or three times actual damages — whichever is greater — along with reasonable attorney's fees. Tenants in this situation can document the disruption thoroughly, explore filing a complaint with a local housing authority, and consider reaching out to a tenant-rights organization to understand the full range of options available under § 34-18-34.
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