R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18.1 § 34-18.1-17
Issuance of execution on nonpayment of rent
Operative Text
In the event that the defendant or defendants shall fail or refuse to pay all sums promptly when due, in accordance with the provisions of § 34-18.1-16, the court in which the judgment for possession was issued shall, on motion of the plaintiff or plaintiffs, and hearing thereon, including satisfactory proof of the nonpayment, enter an order for the issuance of execution and the prompt service thereof, and from that order there shall be no appeal.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18.1-17 establishes what happens when a tenant who has been allowed to stay in a rental unit under a payment plan fails to make the required payments on time. Under this provision, the court that originally issued the judgment for possession may, upon a landlord's motion and a hearing with proof of nonpayment, order that an eviction execution be issued immediately. Critically, the statute specifies that this order is final and cannot be appealed.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-18.1-17, property owners who have obtained a judgment for possession but agreed to a payment arrangement should keep thorough, dated records of every payment received and any missed or late payments. If a tenant fails to pay as required under § 34-18.1-16, a compliant operator typically files a motion with the issuing court, presents satisfactory proof of the nonpayment at a hearing, and requests that an execution for eviction be entered. Because the resulting order carries no right of appeal, the process can move relatively quickly once the court is satisfied with the evidence presented.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-18.1-17 of Rhode Island General Laws governs the court process that follows when a tenant misses payments that were ordered under a prior judgment for possession. Tenants in this situation have the right to attend the hearing the court holds before any execution is issued, and that hearing is an opportunity to present evidence or context regarding the payments in question. Because the statute states that no appeal may be taken from the resulting order, tenants facing this process may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Rhode Island housing law as early as possible.
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