AN ACT RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT (Prohibits the use of algorithmic pricing by landlords to determine the amount of rent to charge a residential tenant.)

H7764

2026 -- H 7764
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LC004447
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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 Potter, Cruz, Voas, Stewart, Alzate, and Sanchez

Date Introduced:
February 12, 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. Determination of rent amount -- Use of algorithmic device prohibited.

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(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
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(1) “Algorithmic device” means a device, software, tool, or model that uses one or more
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computer-based algorithms, including machine learning or artificial intelligence, to perform
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calculations concerning local or statewide rent amounts, occupancy trends, or other rental market
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data for the primary purpose of advising, recommending, or determining the amount of rent a
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landlord may charge, including adjustments to existing rent, that is not widely publicly accessible.
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(2) “Nonpublic competitor data” means information that is derived from or about other
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landlords, renters, occupancy, or pricing that is not widely available to the general public, including
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but not limited to:
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(i) Actual current rent prices for specific properties, units, or landlords collected from
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nonpublic sources;
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(ii) Occupancy rates, lease start/end data, or historical rental performance data obtained
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from proprietary sources;
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(iii) Data licensed or shared among participants in a competitive rental marketplace.
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(3) “Rent” means the total consideration, fees, or charges a residential tenant is required to
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pay for occupancy of a residential premises under any rental agreement, including concessions.

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(b) Prohibition. Effective January 1, 2027, no landlord, property owner, property manager,
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agent, or person acting on their behalf shall:
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(1) Employ, use, knowingly rely upon, or cause another to employ, use, or rely upon an
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algorithmic device that incorporates, uses, or was trained using nonpublic competitor data for the
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purpose of determining, fixing, or suggesting the amount of rent to be charged to a residential
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tenant; or
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(2) Use an algorithmic device to determine any change in rent for a renewed lease term or
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rent adjustment for an existing residential tenant.
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(c) Exemptions. This section does not apply to:
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(1) Rent or income limits established by federal, state, or local housing programs where
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algorithmic tools are used solely to comply with program guidelines;
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(2) Tools that produce only historical reporting of aggregate market data published no more
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frequently than monthly, provided no individualized rent recommendations are made;
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(3) Bona fide internal record-keeping or accounting systems that do not influence or set
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rent amounts.
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(d) Enforcement and remedies.
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(1) Violations of this section shall be deemed an unfair or deceptive act or practice under
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chapter 13.1 of title 6 ("deceptive trade practices").
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(2) The Rhode Island attorney general, or any person aggrieved by a violation, may seek
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relief including equitable relief and civil penalties, as appropriate, under § 6-13.1-5 et seq.
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(3) The attorney general may promulgate regulations necessary for enforcement of this
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section, including definitions, exemptions, recordkeeping requirements, and compliance processes.
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(e) Severability. Should any provision of this section be held invalid, the remainder shall
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remain in full force and effect.
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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 prohibit the use of algorithmic pricing by landlords to determine the amount
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of rent to charge a residential tenant.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC004447
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LC004447 - Page 3 of 3