R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 § 34-18-5
Administration of remedies — Enforcement
Operative Text
(a) The remedies provided by this chapter shall be so administered that an aggrieved party may recover appropriate damages and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, as set forth in § 34-18-6. The aggrieved party has a duty to mitigate damages. (b) Any right or obligation declared by this chapter is enforceable by action unless the provision declaring it specifies a different and limited effect.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18-5 establishes that the remedies available under the state's residential landlord-tenant act are designed to make an injured party whole, allowing recovery of appropriate damages and injunctive relief such as temporary restraining orders. However, any party seeking damages under this chapter has a legal duty to take reasonable steps to minimize their own losses rather than allowing them to grow. Additionally, every right and obligation created by Chapter 34-18 is generally enforceable through a court action, unless a specific provision within the chapter limits that enforcement to a narrower remedy.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-18-5, landlords who believe their rights under Chapter 34-18 have been violated may pursue court action to recover damages or seek injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders. Compliant operators also recognize that this provision cuts both ways — when a tenant asserts a claim, the tenant is required to mitigate damages, which can be a relevant factor in any dispute over the amount owed. Property managers generally document their own efforts to address issues promptly, as courts may consider whether either party took reasonable steps to limit harm when calculating appropriate damages.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-18-5 affirms that tenants whose rights under Rhode Island's landlord-tenant law have been violated may seek court-ordered remedies, including monetary damages and injunctive relief such as temporary restraining orders, as further described in § 34-18-6. Tenants should be aware that this same provision imposes a duty to mitigate damages, meaning a court may reduce a damages award if a tenant failed to take reasonable steps to limit their own losses. Tenants exploring their options under Chapter 34-18 may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Rhode Island housing law to understand which remedies may be available in a given 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.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation