R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 45-24.2 § 45-24.2-12
Moving expenses — Violations
Operative Text
(a) If any property owner is cited for minimum housing violations, causing a tenant to vacate the subject property as a result of the property being declared unfit for habitation by the local code enforcement agency vested with the authority, the owner is liable to the tenant for all reasonable moving expenses incurred by the tenant. The owner is not responsible for this expense if it is determined that the owner was not the cause of the violations, and has the right to appeal any citation or declaration in accordance with the provisions of § 45-24.2-5(b). (b) This section does not apply to any secured party which takes title to the property by enforcement of its interests.
Under Rhode Island General Laws § 45-24.2-12, when a property owner is cited for minimum housing violations that cause a local code enforcement agency to declare the property unfit for habitation—forcing a tenant to move out—the owner is financially responsible for the tenant's reasonable moving costs. This liability does not attach if it is determined that the owner was not the cause of the violations, and the owner retains the right to appeal any citation or declaration. The provision also carves out an exception for secured parties, such as lenders, who acquire title through enforcement of a security interest.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners subject to Rhode Island General Laws § 45-24.2-12 should be aware that housing code violations serious enough to result in an unfit-for-habitation declaration can trigger a legal obligation to cover a displaced tenant's reasonable moving expenses. Operators who maintain properties in compliance with minimum housing standards and promptly address code deficiencies are generally better positioned to avoid this liability. Owners who receive a citation or declaration have the right under § 45-24.2-12 to appeal pursuant to § 45-24.2-5(b), and the statute recognizes that liability does not arise when the owner is determined not to have caused the violations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Rhode Island General Laws § 45-24.2-12 establishes that tenants who are forced to vacate because their home has been declared unfit for habitation due to the owner's housing code violations may be entitled to reimbursement of reasonable moving expenses. Tenants in this situation can document their moving costs carefully, as those records may be relevant if they seek to recover expenses under this provision. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with § 45-24.2-12 can help tenants understand the general enforcement paths available, including how a local code enforcement agency's citation or declaration may factor into any claim.
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