R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 § 34-18-7
Application
Operative Text
This chapter applies to, regulates and determines rights, obligations, and remedies under a rental agreement, wherever made, for a dwelling unit located within this state.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18-7 establishes that the entire chapter governing landlord-tenant relationships applies to any rental agreement for a dwelling unit physically located in Rhode Island, regardless of where that agreement was signed or executed. The provision sets the geographic and subject-matter scope of the chapter, meaning the rights, duties, and remedies defined elsewhere in Chapter 34-18 are triggered by the location of the dwelling unit, not the location where the lease was formed. This effectively means that out-of-state lease signings or agreements drafted under another state's law do not exempt a Rhode Island rental from the chapter's protections and requirements.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-18-7, property owners and managers renting dwelling units situated in Rhode Island are subject to the full framework of Chapter 34-18, even if the lease was signed in another state or drafted to reference another jurisdiction's law. Compliant operators generally ensure that their lease terms, practices, and procedures align with Rhode Island's landlord-tenant chapter for every Rhode Island property in their portfolio. Reviewing lease agreements for any provisions that might conflict with Chapter 34-18 is a standard practice among operators managing properties across multiple states.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-18-7 means that tenants living in a Rhode Island dwelling unit are entitled to the rights and remedies established throughout Chapter 34-18, no matter where the lease was signed or what state's law the lease claims to apply. If a landlord attempts to rely on a lease clause or another state's rules to deny rights that Chapter 34-18 provides, tenants can raise the applicability of this provision as a basis for their claim. Tenant-rights organizations in Rhode Island can help renters understand which specific protections under Chapter 34-18 may be relevant to their 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.
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