AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT (Amends the residential landlord and tenant act to prohibit the use of algorithmic renting-setting software that relies on nonpublic competitor data to determine rental prices or occupancy levels for residential dwelling units in Rhode Island.)

H7129

2026 -- H 7129
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LC003776
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Introduced By:
Representatives Speakman, Ajello, Morales, Felix, Alzate, Stewart, Cruz,
Furtado, and Giraldo

Date Introduced:
January 15, 2026

Referred To:
House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Chapter 34-18 of the General Laws entitled "Residential Landlord and Tenant
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Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
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34-18-63. Prohibition on algorithmic rent setting.

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(a) Definitions. As used in this section:
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(1) “Nonpublic competitor data” means information not available to the general public
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including, but not limited to, actual rent amounts, occupancy levels, lease start and end dates, or
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other similar data, regardless of whether the information is:
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(i) Attributable to a specific competitor or anonymized; and
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(ii) Derived from, shared by, or otherwise provided by another person or entity that
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competes in the same or a related residential rental market.
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(2) “Revenue management device” means a device, system, or software, commonly known
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as revenue management or rent optimization software, that uses one or more programmed or
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automated processes to perform calculations using nonpublic competitor data concerning local or
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statewide rental rates or occupancy levels for the purpose of advising a landlord on:
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(i) Whether to leave a residential dwelling unit vacant; or
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(ii) The amount of rent that the landlord may charge or obtain for a residential dwelling
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unit.
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The term “revenue management device” includes any product or service that incorporates
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such a device, but does not include:

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(A) A report or publication that presents existing rental data in an aggregated or historical
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manner and does not recommend or determine rental rates or occupancy levels for future leases; or
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(B) A product or system used solely for the purpose of establishing rent or income limits
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in accordance with the guidelines of a local, state, or federal affordable housing program.
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(b) Prohibited conduct.
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It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to use a revenue management device or
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nonpublic competitor data to set, recommend, or determine rental rates or occupancy levels for
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residential dwelling units within the state.
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(c) Enforcement.
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(1) A violation of this section shall constitute an unfair or deceptive trade act or practice
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under chapter 13.1 of title 6.
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(2) The attorney general is authorized to investigate and enforce this section and to seek all
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remedies available under chapter 13.1 of title 6, including injunctive relief, civil penalties,
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restitution, and costs.
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(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit any private right of action otherwise
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available under state law.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT
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This act would amend the residential landlord and tenant act to prohibit the use of
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algorithmic renting-setting software that relies on nonpublic competitor data to determine rental
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prices or occupancy levels for residential dwelling units in Rhode Island.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC003776
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