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Free Rhode Island Residential Lease Agreement

A Rhode Island Residential Lease Agreement is a legal contract between a landlord and tenant that officially sets the terms for renting a home in writing. It covers rent, lease length, security deposits, property use. It also describes the rights and responsibilities each party must follow during the rental term.

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Last Update April 29, 2026

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What Is a Rhode Island Lease AgreementTypes of Rhode Island Lease AgreementsDisclosures for Rhode Island Lease AgreementsRhode Island Residential Lease Agreement SampleOther Real Estate DocumentsFAQs About Rhode Island Lease Agreement

What Is a Rhode Island Lease Agreement

This legally binding contract establishes the relationship between a landlord and a tenant. This is written to conform to state laws where the property is located. In Rhode Island, these outlines the specific obligations and rights of both parties for a specified number of months or years.

Rental contracts and lease agreements have a lot of similarities as they both set out payment plans and the terms of use for a house or apartment.

However, the big difference is the duration that they cover. Rental agreements usually only cover short-term tenancies of a few months at a time or month-to-month contracts. Leases, on the other hand, cover a set number of months or years.

A lease agreement should contain the following details:

  • How long the tenant may legally reside in the property
  • How much rent should be paid
  • Information about the security deposits necessary
  • When rental installments are due
  • Any additional costs that must be serviced by the tenant
  • The rules regarding the proper use of the property
  • Situations that constitute lease violation eviction procedures

Types of Rhode Island Lease Agreements

Selecting the appropriate document class depends on your specific rental scenario. Each kind refers to a different type of property and/or rental situation.

The most common types of lease agreements in Rhode Island include:

  • Standard residential lease agreements: Both the landlord and tenant commit to a fixed set of terms for a set period of time.
  • Rent-to-own lease agreements: Designed for tenants that wish to buy the property they are renting during or after the lease has ended. This typically requires the tenants to pay an additional sum of money each month, to cover the principal.
  • Month-to-month rental agreements: The same general terms as a standard residential lease contract, but they can be renewed, altered, or ended on a month-by-month basis.
  • Commercial lease agreements: Provided by landlords of retail property to tenants that will use the real estate to manage a business.
  • Room rental agreements: Used for rooms within properties that have shared living areas.
  • Sublease agreement: Allows tenants to assign or lease the property to another individual as long as they have the property landlord’s permission.

Disclosures for Rhode Island Lease Agreements

There are various disclosures and addendums that must be contained within Rhode Island lease agreements when they are completed and signed. These are made to inform the tenant about any health risks, potential issues, or details about how the property is managed.

Landlords must include the following state-mandated disclosures:

  • Landlord’s name and address disclosure: Lease agreements must include a section with the contact details of the main person tasked with property repairs. This can be the landlord or an agent appointed to act on their behalf (§ 34-18-20).
  • Lead paint disclosure: Landlords must disclose whether lead paint can be found on the property (if the building was constructed before 1978).
  • Reporting code violations: The tenant(s) must be informed by the landlord if they are violating any housing or building code violations within 30 days of receiving notice from the appropriate government authority (§ 34-18-22.1).

Rhode Island Lease Agreement Laws

Compliance with Title 34, Chapter 18 of the RI General Laws is mandatory for enforceability. If this is not done properly, the contract will be legally contestable and could be declared invalid when put under scrutiny. These rules will also determine what kind of procedures and terms you may ask the tenant to abide by.

Key statutory requirements include:

Law Specifics
Security deposit The maximum security deposit that can be charged in Rhode Island, is 1 months’ rent if the property is a non-rent control unit. This amount must be given back to the tenant within 20 days after they vacate the property and return the keys (§ 34-18-19). If any deductions will be taken from the security deposit, the tenant must be informed of these in advance of its return.
Landlord’s right to enter 48 hours’ advance notice must be given by landlords before entering the rental property (§ 34-18-26). The landlord may also only enter at reasonable times.

However, if the tenant vacates the property for 7 days at any given time, the landlord can enter without notice if it is necessary to protect the property.

Rhode Island Residential Lease Agreement Sample

Creating and putting a lease agreement into action in Rhode Island is a major commitment. It can help to explore common questions regarding RI rental regulations include:

Residential Lease Agreement for Rhode Island Sample
Get Your RI Lease Agreement
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Other Real Estate Documents

Besides lease agreements, there are various other legal documents that are commonly used by landlords. If you are the owner of a rental property, one of the following forms may be helpful for you:

FAQs About Rhode Island Lease Agreement

Common questions regarding RI rental regulations include:

Our online builder automates the inclusion of state-specific clauses.completely online. Using our RI residential lease agreement maker you can tailor your document for your specific needs and take advantage of professional templates and expert tips.

There is a key difference between a Rhode Island lease agreement and a Rhode Island rental agreement, which is the length of duration that they each cover.

Lease agreements are normally longer-term arrangements that can last several months or even years, in which their terms remain fixed. Rental agreements on the other hand are shorter-term in nature but are more flexible and may be changed on a weekly or monthly basis.

If either the landlord or tenant needs to terminate a Rhode Island lease agreement early for any reason, they must provide the correct amount of notice in a written RI lease termination letter.

This letter needs to contain the following information:

  • The name of the landlord and the tenant
  • The date the letter has been written and signed
  • The name and address of the property in question
  • Information explaining why the tenancy needs to be terminated early
  • The reason the lease is being broken
  • The date that the resident will vacate the property
  • Acknowledgment of any penalties that will be incurred
  • Signature of the signing party

Preview of your Rhode Island Lease Agreement

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT
THIS LEASE AGREEMENT (hereinafter, the "Lease Agreement") is dated as of ________ day of ________________, ________ (hereinafter, the "Effective Date") and is entered into by and between the following parties:
_________

(hereinafter the "Landlord")

- AND _________

(hereinafter the "Tenant(s)")

The Landlord and the Tenant(s) agree as follows:
1. The Landlord rents to the Tenant(s) and the Tenant(s) rents to the Landlord a house, located at _________ (hereinafter the "Property"), for the sole use as a personal residence.
2. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, only the Tenant(s) mentioned in this Lease Agreement will be permitted to live on the Property. No other person will be allowed to live on the Property without the prior written consent of the Landlord.
PETS

3. No animal or pet shall be kept, permanently or temporarily, on or about the Property, even temporarily or with a visiting guest. As provided by law, a Service Animal(s) is not considered a pet, and every individual with a disability shall have a right to have a Service Animal(s) on the Property.
PARKING

4. Parking spaces for motor vehicles or motorcycles are not provided nor permitted on the Property under this Lease Agreement.
SMOKING

5. Smoking is not allowed in or on any area of the Property, including individual units and common areas, both indoors and outdoors. This policy applies to all owners, tenants, or guests.

If the Tenant(s) contravenes this provision by smoking or allowing guests to smoke in any place on the property, then such Tenant(s) shall be held liable for any damages caused to the Property. The violation of this provision shall be considered a just cause for the eviction of the Tenant(s) by the Landlord.
VAPING

6. Vaping is not allowed in or on any area of the Property, including individual units and common areas, both indoors and outdoors.
TERM
7. The term of the Lease Agreement begins on _________ (hereinafter, the "Commencement Date") and shall terminate on _________ (hereinafter, the "Termination Date").
8. The Parties must comply with the law of the State of Rhode Island in any notification to end this tenancy.
RENT
9. The Tenant(s) shall pay the Landlord Rent in the amount of $_________ per week (hereinafter, the "Rent").
10. The Tenant(s) shall pay the Landlord Rent weekly prior to or on _________ day of every week during the term of this Lease Agreement at _________ or at such other place as the Landlord may designate later by:
11. The Landlord may increase the Rent that will be paid for the Property by providing a reasonable notice to the Tenant(s) that the Rent will increase.

Under Rhode Island law, the Landlord shall give the Tenant(s) a 30 days' notice of the increase. Further, the Landlord must give a 60 days' notice to the Tenant(s) if there is a month-to-month tenancy and the Tenant(s) are over the age of 62, before raising the rent.
INSPECTIONS
12. The Parties will inspect the property to evaluate its condition at the beginning and the end of the lease term.
13. The Landlord and its agents shall have the right to enter the Property at all reasonable times to inspect, repair, or show it to Prospective buyers or tenants in compliance with the law of the State of Rhode Island.

Under the law of the state of Rhode Island, the Landlord must provide the Tenant(s) with a 2 days' notice of the impending non-emergency inspection or visit before the scheduled entry to the Property.
TENANT IMPROVEMENTS
14. The Tenant(s) shall not make any sort of improvements on the leased Property without the Landlord's prior written consent. All improvements made by the Tenant(s) shall become the Landlord's property and shall be surrendered with the leased premises at the termination of this Lease Agreement unless the Tenant(s) obtain written consent from the Landlord before doing any of the following:

(a) Additions
(b) Alterations
(c) Fixtures
(d) Redecorations
(e) Installing a waterbed(s).
UTILITIES
15. The Tenant(s) shall be responsible for and shall pay for all utilities and services used or consumed at the Property.
INSURANCE
16. The Tenant(s) shall not pay for any insurance to protect property belonging to such Tenant(s). However, if the property belonging to the Tenant(s) suffers any damage or loss, the Landlord will not be liable for any property that suffers any damage or loss.
17. The Tenant(s) will not be held responsible for insuring the Landlord's property in or about the premises. Further, the Tenant(s) will not be liable for either damage or loss of such property.
ATTORNEY FEES
18. In any lawsuit brought to enforce the Lease or under applicable law, the party in whose favor a judgment or decree has been rendered may recover reasonable court costs, including attorneys' fees, from the non-prevailing party.
GOVERNING LAW
19. This Lease Agreement shall be governed, construed, and interpreted by the State of Rhode Island.
SEVERABILITY
20. If any term or provision of this Lease Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions shall not be affected by such provision and will continue to be valid and enforceable.
21. If a court holds that any provision of this Lease Agreement is invalid or unenforceable and such provision is eliminated, the remaining provisions shall continue to have full effect.
ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND AMENDMENT OF THE LEASE
22. This Lease Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and there are no other promises, conditions, understandings, or other agreements, whether oral or written, relating to the subject matter of this Lease. This Lease Agreement may be modified or amended in writing if it is signed by both parties.
ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING
23. The Tenant(s) shall not, without the prior written consent of the Landlord, assign this Lease Agreement or any interest herein or sublet the Property or any part thereof.
DAMAGES
24. All damages done to the property shall be charged to the Tenant(s) and may be considered cause for the termination of this lease agreement.
CARE AND USE OF PROPERTY
25. The Tenant(s) shall occupy and use the Property exclusively as a residential dwelling unit. No other uses shall be allowed to the Tenant(s) other than for residential dwelling purposes, except as may be allowed by the written consent of the Landlord and if and only if the alternative use is allowed under all applicable zoning laws. In such case, the Tenant(s) shall obtain liability insurance to cover any risks associated with alternate use of the property.

Further, the Parties must comply with all health, fire, and safety regulations. Any material breach of this provision by the Tenant(s) constitutes valid grounds for eviction or lease termination.
26. The Tenant(s) accepts the Property in its present condition and state of repair and shall be given possession of the Property on the day of commencement of this Lease Agreement.

At the expiration of the lease term, the Tenant(s) shall leave and surrender the Property in as good a state and condition as they were in at the commencement of the lease term, reasonable use, wear and tear, and damages by the elements excepted.
NOTICE
27. The Tenant(s) may be reached for any matter related to this tenancy at the Property or through the following phone number and email:

(a) Name: _________.
(b) Phone: _________.
(c) Email: _________.
28. The Landlord may be reached for any matter related to this tenancy at the Property or through the following phone number and email:

(a) Name: _________.
(b) Address: _________.
The contact information for the Landlord is:

(c) Phone: _________.
(d) Email address: _________.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
29. All monetary amounts stated or referred to on this Lease are based in the United States dollar.
30. Any waiver by the Landlord of any failure by the Tenant to perform or observe the provisions of this Lease will not operate as a waiver of the Landlord's rights under this Lease in respect of any subsequent defaults, breaches, or non-performance and will not defeat or affect in any way the Landlord's rights in respect of any subsequent default or breach.
31. This Lease will extend to and be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, as the case may be, of each Party. All covenants are to be construed as conditions of this Lease.
32. All sums payable by the Tenant to the Landlord pursuant to any provision of this Lease will be deemed to be additional rent and will be recovered by the Landlord as rental arrears.
33. Where there is more than one Tenant executing this Lease, all Tenants are jointly and severally liable for each other's acts, omissions, and liabilities pursuant to this Lease.
34. Locks may not be added or changed without the prior written agreement of both Parties, or unless the changes are made in compliance with the Act.
35. The Tenant will be charged an additional amount of $_________ for each N.S.F. check or checks returned by the Tenant's financial institution.
36. Headings are inserted for the convenience of the Parties only and are not to be considered when interpreting this Lease. Words in the singular mean and include the plural and vice versa. Words in the masculine mean and include the feminine and vice versa.
37. Time is of the essence in this Lease.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF _________, _________ have duly affixed their signatures on this________day of ________________, ________.

________________________________
Landlord: _________

_________________________________
Tenant: _________

The Tenant acknowledges receiving a duplicate copy of this Lease signed by the Tenant and the Landlord on the________day of ________________, ________.

_________________________________
Tenant: _________
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