R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18.1 § 34-18.1-14
Recovery of prepaid rent on termination of tenancy
Operative Text
Upon the termination of a tenancy covered by this chapter in any manner mentioned in § 34-18.1-13 before the end of the period for which rent is payable, if the rent for the period has been paid, the portion of the period then unexpired may be recovered back; however, the termination shall not have occurred by reason of any default of the person claiming to recover the rent.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18.1-14 establishes that when a covered tenancy ends before the close of a rent-payment period for which rent has already been paid, the tenant is entitled to recover the unused, prepaid portion of that rent. This right applies regardless of which party initiates the termination, as long as the termination was carried out through one of the methods recognized under § 34-18.1-13. Critically, the rule contains a fault exception: a person cannot reclaim prepaid rent if the termination resulted from their own default or wrongdoing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-18.1-14, property owners and managers who collect rent in advance should be prepared to return the prorated, unused portion of prepaid rent whenever a covered tenancy ends mid-period through a method listed in § 34-18.1-13. Compliant operators typically calculate the unexpired share of the prepaid period and refund it promptly upon termination. Keeping clear records of rent-payment periods and termination dates helps demonstrate that any refund was calculated accurately and that the termination was not caused by the landlord's own default.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 34-18.1-14 of Rhode Island law gives tenants the right to recover the portion of prepaid rent that covers time after the tenancy has legally ended, provided the tenancy was terminated through a method recognized under § 34-18.1-13 and the termination was not caused by the tenant's own default. Tenants who believe a landlord has wrongfully withheld a prepaid-rent refund may consider documenting the termination date, the amount paid, and any communications about the refund. General enforcement paths can include raising the issue through Rhode Island's court system, contacting a local tenant-rights organization, or consulting with a housing attorney familiar with Chapter 34-18.1.
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