R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 6-13.1 § 6-13.1-21
Credit reports — Notice to individual — Requirements of users of credit reports
Operative Text
(a) No person or business shall request a credit report in connection with a consumer's application for credit, employment, or insurance unless a consumer is first informed that a credit report may be requested in connection with the application. (b) Whenever credit or insurance for personal, family, household purposes, or employment involving a consumer is denied or the charge for that credit or insurance is increased either wholly or partly because of information contained in a credit report from a credit bureau, the user of the credit report shall advise the consumer against whom the adverse action has been taken and supply the name and address of the credit bureau making the report.
Rhode Island General Laws § 6-13.1-21 establishes two related disclosure requirements tied to the use of consumer credit reports. First, anyone requesting a credit report in connection with a credit, employment, or insurance application must notify the consumer beforehand that such a report may be pulled. Second, if a consumer is denied credit, insurance, or employment—or faces a higher charge—based in whole or in part on information in a credit report, the entity that used the report must inform the consumer of the adverse action and provide the name and address of the credit bureau that supplied the report. These rules are designed to ensure consumers are aware when their credit history is being accessed and when it has negatively affected a decision about them.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who screen applicants using credit reports are subject to § 6-13.1-21 and generally ensure that applicants are notified before any credit report is requested as part of the rental application process. When a credit report contributes—even partially—to a decision to deny an application or to alter the terms offered, compliant operators typically provide the applicant with written notice of the adverse action along with the name and address of the credit bureau that furnished the report. Maintaining clear, documented disclosure practices for each stage of the screening process is a common feature of operations that align with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 6-13.1-21, Rhode Island consumers have the right to be told before a credit report is pulled in connection with an application for credit, employment, or insurance. If an adverse decision—such as a denial or an increased charge—is based even partly on information in a credit report, the entity that used the report is required to notify the consumer and identify the credit bureau involved. Tenants or applicants who believe these disclosures were not provided may consider contacting a tenant-rights organization, a consumer protection agency, or reviewing the complaint options available under Rhode Island's consumer protection framework.
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