R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 45-24.2 § 45-24.2-1
Legislative findings
Operative Text
It is hereby found and declared: (1) That there exist, in the various cities and towns numerous dwellings and dwelling premises which are substandard due to dilapidation, deterioration and disrepair of dwellings and dwelling premises, structural defects, uncleanliness, lack of adequate ventilation, light, sanitary, heating, and hot water facilities, overcrowding of dwellings, occupancy of unfit dwellings, and other conditions and defects which increase the hazards of illness, disease, fire, accidents, and other calamities; (2) That these conditions, singly or in combination, endanger the health, safety, morals, and general welfare of the people of the various cities and towns, and give impetus to the development, continuation, extension, and aggravation of blighted and substandard housing conditions; and (3) That it is a matter of legislative determination that the establishment of minimum standards for dwellings is essential to the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and general welfare.
Section 45-24.2-1 of Rhode Island General Laws sets out the legislature's foundational rationale for the state's minimum housing standards law. It formally recognizes that substandard dwelling conditions—such as structural defects, inadequate ventilation, lack of heat or hot water, and overcrowding—pose real dangers to health, safety, and general welfare. By recording these findings, the legislature established the public-interest basis for requiring cities and towns to enforce minimum housing standards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Section 45-24.2-1 reflects the legislature's determination that maintaining dwellings free from dilapidation, structural defects, and inadequate facilities is not merely a best practice but a matter of public policy. Property owners and managers operating under Rhode Island law generally keep their units in a condition that addresses the specific hazard categories identified in this provision, including ventilation, sanitation, heating, and hot water. Understanding this legislative foundation helps operators appreciate why local housing codes carry the weight they do across Rhode Island's cities and towns.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 45-24.2-1 establishes that Rhode Island's legislature has formally recognized substandard housing conditions—such as lack of heat, hot water, or adequate sanitation—as threats to public health and welfare, providing the legal underpinning for tenant protections throughout the state. Tenants living in conditions that resemble those described in this provision, including structural defects or overcrowding, may have grounds to raise housing code violations through local code enforcement agencies or rent-related proceedings. Tenant-rights organizations in Rhode Island can help residents understand how this legislative foundation connects to enforceable remedies available under the broader chapter.
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 Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation