R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-37 § 34-37-5.1
Interference, coercion, or intimidation
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of his or her having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of his or her having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of, any right granted or protected by this chapter. No owner under this chapter or any agent of these shall discriminate in any manner against any individual because he or she has opposed any practice forbidden by this chapter, or because he or she has made a charge, testified, or assisted in any manner in any investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this chapter.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-37-5.1 makes it unlawful for anyone to coerce, intimidate, threaten, or interfere with a person who is exercising rights protected under Chapter 34-37, which covers fair housing and anti-discrimination in housing. The provision also bars property owners and their agents from retaliating or discriminating against individuals who have opposed a forbidden practice, filed a complaint, or participated in any investigation or hearing under the chapter. In short, the law protects both the underlying fair-housing rights and the act of asserting or supporting those rights.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-37-5.1, compliant property owners and their agents refrain from any conduct—such as threats, pressure, or adverse treatment—directed at a tenant or applicant because that person exercised a fair-housing right or helped someone else do so. Operators also avoid taking adverse action against anyone who has filed a complaint, testified, or otherwise participated in a proceeding under Chapter 34-37, as such conduct constitutes prohibited retaliation. Maintaining clear, documented, and non-retaliatory reasons for any housing decision helps demonstrate that actions are based on legitimate factors rather than a person's protected activity.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-37-5.1 gives tenants and applicants protection not only against underlying housing discrimination but also against retaliation for standing up against it—meaning an owner or agent generally cannot threaten, pressure, or penalize someone for asserting rights, filing a complaint, or assisting in a Chapter 34-37 investigation. If a tenant believes they have experienced such interference or retaliation, options may include filing a complaint with the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights, raising the violation as a defense in a housing proceeding, or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information. Keeping records of communications and any changes in treatment after protected activity is commonly considered useful context when pursuing any of these paths.
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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