R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-20 § 34-20-10
Unlawful termination of tenancy in general
Operative Text
When proceedings commenced under this chapter are to regain possession of the premises following the alleged termination of a tenancy, if the defendant alleges in his or her answer and if it appears by a preponderance of the evidence that any of the following situations exist, judgment shall be entered for the defendant: (1) That the alleged termination was intended as a penalty for the defendant's justified attempt to secure or enforce rights under a lease or contract, or under the laws of the state or its governmental subdivisions, or of the United States. (2) That the alleged termination was intended as a penalty for the defendant's justified complaint to a governmental authority with a report of plaintiff's violation of any health or safety code or ordinance. (3) That the alleged termination was intended as a penalty for any other justified lawful act of the defendant. (4) That the alleged termination was a tenancy in housing operated by a city, town, municipal housing authority, or other unit of a local government, and was terminated without cause.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-20-10 establishes that a tenant facing an eviction proceeding may defeat the landlord's claim by showing, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the termination was retaliatory or otherwise unlawful. Specifically, a court must enter judgment in the tenant's favor if the termination was meant to punish the tenant for asserting legal rights, complaining to a government agency about health or safety violations, taking other justified lawful actions, or—in the case of public or municipal housing—was carried out without cause. The provision shifts the outcome of the eviction case based on the landlord's underlying motive or the absence of legitimate grounds.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-20-10, operators who initiate eviction proceedings must be prepared to demonstrate that any tenancy termination rests on a legitimate, non-retaliatory basis. Compliant property managers generally document the factual grounds for termination independently of any tenant complaints, lease-enforcement attempts, or lawful tenant activity. Operators of city, town, or municipal housing are held to an additional standard requiring cause for termination, making thorough record-keeping of lease violations or other grounds especially important.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-20-10 of Rhode Island General Laws gives tenants a meaningful defense in eviction proceedings: if a tenant can show by a preponderance of the evidence that the termination was retaliation for asserting legal rights, reporting a health or safety violation to a government authority, or taking another justified lawful action, a court must rule in the tenant's favor. Tenants in public or municipal housing have an additional protection, as terminations without cause are also grounds for judgment in their favor under this provision. Tenants who believe their eviction may be retaliatory can raise this defense in their written answer to the eviction complaint, and may also wish to contact a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general information about how this provision applies.
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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