R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 45-25 § 45-25-18.7
Hearings
Operative Text
(a) The tenant or applicant affected has a right to a hearing and review by the board where a determination is made by the project management or by the housing authority: (1) That an applicant is denied admission to public housing; (2) That a tenant's right of use and occupation is terminated; or (3) That any obligation of a tenant is increased or otherwise altered; (b) The tenant or applicant shall be given written notice of any determination affecting his or her status, and the reasons therefor, and notice of his or her right to a hearing, and within seven (7) days of delivery of the notice, the tenant or occupant may petition the board, in writing, for a hearing and review. Upon receiving that petition, the board shall set a date for the hearing and inform the tenant or applicant of the date, time, and place of the hearing. (c) If the tenant or applicant fails to petition for a hearing within seven (7) days, he or she will be held to have waived his or her right to the hearing, but he or she will not be held to have waived his or her right to contest the propriety of the authority's action in any later court proceeding. (d) The tenant or applicant is entitled to a fair hearing before the board and has the right to be represented by counsel.
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-25-18.7, public housing tenants and applicants have a right to a hearing before the housing authority board when management denies an application for admission, terminates a tenancy, or changes a tenant's obligations. Written notice of any such determination—including the reasons and the right to a hearing—must be provided, and the affected party has seven days from delivery of that notice to petition the board in writing for a review. Failing to petition within that window is treated as a waiver of the hearing right, though it does not prevent the person from challenging the authority's action in a later court proceeding. At any hearing held under this provision, the tenant or applicant is entitled to representation by counsel.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Housing authorities and project management operating under R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-25-18.7 generally ensure that any determination affecting a tenant's or applicant's status—such as a denial of admission, termination of occupancy, or modification of obligations—is accompanied by written notice that clearly states the reasons for the decision and informs the recipient of their right to request a hearing. Compliant operators track the seven-day petition window from the date of delivery and are prepared to schedule a hearing promptly upon receiving a written petition. Maintaining thorough documentation of notice delivery and the substance of any determination supports an orderly hearing process before the board.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-25-18.7, if you are a public housing tenant or applicant and management denies your admission, ends your right to occupy a unit, or changes your obligations, you have the right to request a hearing before the housing authority board. You must submit a written petition to the board within seven days of receiving the written notice of the determination—missing that deadline is treated as a waiver of the hearing right, though your ability to challenge the action in court at a later time is preserved. At any hearing held under this provision you have the right to be represented by counsel, and tenant-rights organizations in Rhode Island may be able to help you understand your options.
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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