What notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Rhode Island?
Once rent is 15 days in arrears, the landlord must mail a written demand; if the tenant does not pay within 5 days of mailing, the landlord may file for eviction.
Once rent is 15 days in arrears, a Rhode Island landlord must mail a written demand. If the tenant does not pay within 5 days of mailing, the landlord may file for eviction, but no earlier than the sixth day after mailing of the written demand notice.
Worked example for Rhode Island
Example: Rent is 15 days in arrears, and you mail a written demand on May 16, 2026. If the tenant does not pay the stipulated rent in arrears within 5 days of the date of mailing, you may commence an eviction action no earlier than the sixth day after mailing, May 22, 2026.
Rhode Island timelines and limits
When the written demand may be mailed
Once rent is 15 days in arrears
Time to pay after mailing
Within 5 days of the date of mailing
When the landlord may file
No earlier than the sixth day after mailing of the written demand notice
Rhode Island FAQ
How much notice does a Rhode Island landlord have to give for nonpayment?
Once rent is 15 days in arrears, the landlord must mail a written demand. If the tenant does not pay within 5 days of mailing, the landlord may file, under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35.
When may I file after mailing the demand?
No earlier than the sixth day after mailing of the written demand notice.
When does the 15-day arrears period matter?
The written demand is mailed once rent is 15 days in arrears.
This is general information, not legal advice. The verified rule and official sources above control. Check the source or a local attorney for your situation.
Related Rhode Island rules
Eviction court process & timeline
In a holdover eviction, filed on the court's 'Reason Other Than Nonpayment' complaint form, the summons gives the tenant 20 days from service to file an answer or be defaulted. The hearing is then scheduled under the court's rules.
Rhode Island evictions are filed in the district court (or a housing court). The district court entry fee for an action other than a small claim is $80, plus a technology surcharge under § 8-15-11. A writ of execution costs $20 more. Statute text: "For the entry of every other action ......................................... $80.00." (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 9-29-1(a)-(b), 34-18-35(a)).
Banned. A landlord may not take possession by self-help, including willfully interrupting heat, water, hot water, electricity, gas or other essential services, except after abandonment or surrender. An unlawfully excluded tenant may recover possession or terminate, plus up to 3 months' rent or triple damages and attorney's fees.
Yes. A landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or bring or threaten an eviction because the tenant complained to a code agency or to the landlord, joined a tenants' union, or used other lawful remedies. A complaint within 6 months before the landlord's act creates a presumption of retaliation.
The landlord may file an eviction the day after the lease ends or a periodic tenancy is terminated. For a willful, bad-faith holdover, the landlord may also recover the greater of up to 3 months' rent or three times actual damages, plus attorney fees.
In an eviction for nonpayment, the tenant may counterclaim for amounts owed under the lease or the Act, and the court may order the tenant to pay into court all or part of the rent accrued and accruing. If no rent remains due after offsetting, judgment for possession goes to the tenant. There's no stand-alone rent withholding procedure.
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