R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 § 34-18-49
Payment of rent on stay of execution
Operative Text
Whenever, in any action for the recovery of real property, the issuance of an execution, or the service of an execution, is stayed by order of the court or by the operation of law, the stay shall be conditioned upon the payment by tenant to the landlord of sums of money equal to the rent for the premises, which sums shall be paid at such times and in such amounts as rent would be due and payable were the action not then pending. The acceptance of these sums shall not constitute a waiver of the right of the landlord to obtain possession of the premises, nor shall the receipt thereof be deemed to reinstate the tenancy.
Under Rhode Island law, specifically R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-49, when a court or operation of law pauses the enforcement of an eviction order, that pause comes with a financial condition: the tenant must continue paying amounts equal to rent on the same schedule as if no eviction case were pending. Importantly, a landlord's acceptance of these payments does not revive the tenancy or give up the landlord's right to ultimately recover possession of the property. The provision draws a clear line between ongoing rent-equivalent payments during a legal stay and any restoration of the underlying rental relationship.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-49 should be aware that accepting court-ordered rent-equivalent payments during a stay of execution is a legally distinct act from accepting ordinary rent. Compliant operators typically document these payments carefully, noting that receipt is made pursuant to the stay condition and not as a reinstatement of the tenancy. Maintaining clear written records of each payment and its legal context helps preserve the landlord's right to regain possession once the stay is lifted.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-49, tenants who benefit from a stay of an eviction execution are generally required to keep making payments equal to their regular rent amount on the usual schedule as a condition of that stay. Failure to meet this payment condition could affect the continuation of the stay. Tenants in this situation may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand how this obligation interacts with any defenses or claims they may have in the underlying eviction proceeding.
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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