515 R.I. Code R. 10-00-2 § 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.10
Answer
Operative Text
A. Time of Filing Answer. A respondent upon whom a notice of hearing and complaint has been served shall file a written answer within three (3) weeks from the date of service or ten (10) days prior to the date of hearing, whichever is earlier. B. Place and Manner of Filing. The answer must be filed with the Commission, a Commission attorney, and upon all other parties, by personal delivery, mail, facsimile or email. C. Extension of Time. Upon application, the Commission, for good cause shown, may extend the time within which the answer may be filed. D. Form of Answer. The answer shall be in writing and shall contain the address, email address and telephone number of the respondent, and if represented by an attorney, the name, address, bar number, email address and telephone number of said attorney. The answer shall contain a specific denial of each allegation of the complaint controverted by the respondent, or a denial of any knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief concerning such allegations, and a statement of any matter constituting a defense. General denials are not an acceptable form of pleading and shall be stricken by the Commission. Any allegation in the complaint which is not denied, unless respondent shall state in the answer that the respondent after due investigation is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief on the allegation, shall be deemed admitted. An affirmative defense not first set forth by answer may not be raised at hearing on a complaint unless the hearing officer decides otherwise based on good cause shown. E. Amendment to Answer. The respondent may amend their answer at any time before sixty (60) days prior to the first hearing on the complaint, as a matter of right, and thereafter at the discretion of the Commission or the hearing officer, by motion. Whenever a complaint is amended, the respondent shall file an amended answer as directed by the Commission. F. Failure to File Answer. A respondent who has not filed an answer shall be in default and the hearing shall proceed on the evidence in support of the complaint. Such default may be set aside by the Commission or the hearing officer upon good cause shown.
Section 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.10 establishes the procedural rules governing how a respondent must respond to a formal complaint filed with the Commission. A written answer must be submitted within three weeks of service or ten days before the hearing date, whichever comes first, and must specifically address each allegation rather than rely on broad, general denials. Allegations left unaddressed in the answer are treated as admitted, and affirmative defenses not raised in the answer generally cannot be introduced at the hearing unless good cause is shown.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.10, a property owner or manager who receives a notice of hearing and complaint from the Commission generally files a written answer promptly, well within the three-week or pre-hearing deadline, to avoid being placed in default. Compliant operators ensure their answer includes contact information, specific responses to each allegation, and any affirmative defenses they intend to raise, since general denials are stricken and unaddressed allegations are deemed admitted. If more time is needed, operators may apply to the Commission for an extension by demonstrating good cause before the deadline passes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
If a tenant is named as a respondent in a Commission proceeding governed by 515-RICR-10-00-2 § 2.10, they have the right to file a written answer that specifically contests each allegation and raises any applicable defenses. Failing to file an answer can result in a default, meaning the hearing proceeds based solely on the complaint's evidence, though a default may be set aside if good cause is shown. Tenants navigating this process may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Rhode Island Commission procedures to understand the available 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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