R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 45-24.3 § 45-24.3-13
General requirements relating to the safe and sanitary maintenance of nonresidential structures and premises
Operative Text
No person shall occupy as owner or occupant, or let to another for occupancy, any vacant dwelling or nonresidential structure, unless it and the premises are clean, sanitary, fit for human occupancy, and comply with §§ 45-24.3-6, 45-24.3-9, 45-24.3-10, and 45-24.3-14 — 45-24.3-22 and all applicable legal requirements of the state of Rhode Island and the corporate unit.
Rhode Island General Laws § 45-24.3-13 prohibits any person from occupying or renting out a vacant dwelling or nonresidential structure unless the property and its surrounding premises meet cleanliness, sanitary, and habitability standards, as well as the specific requirements set out in related sections of Chapter 45-24.3 and all other applicable state and local laws. The rule applies equally to owners who move into a property themselves and to those who lease it to others. It establishes a baseline condition that must be satisfied before any occupancy of a previously vacant structure may lawfully begin.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 45-24.3-13, property owners and managers are generally expected to ensure that a vacant dwelling or nonresidential structure is clean, sanitary, and fit for human occupancy before allowing anyone — including themselves — to take possession. Compliant operators typically conduct a thorough inspection of the premises against the standards referenced in §§ 45-24.3-6, 45-24.3-9, 45-24.3-10, and 45-24.3-14 through 45-24.3-22, as well as any applicable Rhode Island state and local requirements, before a new occupancy begins. Documenting the condition of the property prior to occupancy is a practice commonly associated with demonstrating compliance with provisions like this one.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 45-24.3-13 of Rhode Island General Laws establishes that tenants have a right to move into a dwelling that is clean, sanitary, and fit for human occupancy from the very start of their tenancy. If a unit does not meet these baseline conditions at the time of occupancy, that failure may be relevant to complaints filed with local housing or code enforcement authorities, or it may be raised as a defense in certain legal proceedings. Tenants who believe a property did not meet the standards required by § 45-24.3-13 when they moved in may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand the options available to them.
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