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S2271
2026 -- S 2271
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LC003399
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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:
Senators Mack, and Kallman
Date Introduced:
January 23, 2026
Referred To:
Senate Housing & Municipal Government
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. Rent stabilization act.
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(a) During any private rental tenancy, the landlord shall not increase the rent:
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(1) During the first year after the tenancy begins;
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(2) At any time after the first year of the tenancy without giving the tenant written notice
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in accordance with § 34-18-16.1; and
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(3) Except as provided in subsections (b)(3) and (e) of this section, during any twelve (12)
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month period, in an amount greater than four percent (4%).
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(b) The written notice required under this section shall specify:
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(1) The amount of the rent increase;
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(2) The amount of the new rent;
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(3) Facts supporting the exemption, if the increase is more than the amount allowed in
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subsection (a)(3) of this section; and
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(4) The date on which the increase becomes effective.
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(c) A landlord terminating a tenancy with a thirty (30) day notice without cause as
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authorized by § 34-18-37, shall not reset the rent for the next tenancy in an amount greater than
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four percent (4%) above the previous rent.
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(d) A landlord refusing to extend the tenancy at the request of the tenant, shall not reset the
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rent for the next tenancy in an amount greater than four percent (4%) above the previous rent.
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(e) A landlord is not subject to the provisions of this section when:
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(1) The tenant leaves on their own volition and the landlord rents to a new tenant;
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(2) The landlord is providing reduced rent to the tenant as part of a federal, state or local
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program or subsidy; or
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(3) The landlord is granted an exemption by the secretary of housing. A landlord may be
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granted an exemption if they are able to demonstrate through sufficient evidence that:
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(i) There has been necessary repairs and improvements made to the dwelling unit directly
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related to maintaining or improving the health and/or safety conditions of the unit and to ensure the
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unit is in compliance with § 34-18-22; or
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(ii) There has been an increase in the municipal taxes and/or insurance of the dwelling in
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an amount greater than four percent (4%) of the annual rent.
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(4) If the landlord is granted an exemption pursuant to subsection (e)(3)(ii) of this section,
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any increase of rent by the landlord shall not exceed the amount of the increase in the municipal
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taxes and/or insurance, divided by the number of dwelling units of the property.
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(f)(1) A landlord that increases rent in violation of this section or a landlord which
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wrongfully evicts a tenant shall be liable to the tenant in an amount equal to three (3) months’ rent
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in addition to actual damages sustained by the tenant as a result of the tenancy termination.
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(2) In addition to the remedies provided in subsections (f)(1) and (f)(3) of this section, if
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the tenant prevails after a hearing or trial on the merits, the tenant may be awarded attorneys' fees,
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if appropriate.
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(3) In addition to the remedies provided in subsections (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this section, if
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the landlord's conduct is shown to be motivated by malice or ill will, or when the landlord's actions
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are reckless or callous indifference to the requirements of this section, the court may award punitive
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damage.
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(g) A tenant is entitled to recovery under this section if the tenant commences an action
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asserting the claim within one year after the tenant knew or should have known the landlord
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terminated the tenancy in violation of this section.
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(h) This section does not create a right to increase rent that does not otherwise exist.
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(i) This section does not require a landlord to compromise, justify or reduce a rent increase
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that the landlord otherwise is entitled to impose.
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(j) The secretary of housing shall enforce the provisions of this section.
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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 limit rent increases to no more than four percent (4%) annually unless the
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landlord is granted an exemption by the secretary of housing, and would provide tenants with a
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civil action to recover damages, including an award of attorneys' fees and punitive damages, for
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any violations.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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