2018 -- H 7500

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LC004592

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Shanley, Coughlin, Solomon, Blazejewski, and Barros

     Date Introduced: February 08, 2018

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 34-18-22 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-18 entitled

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"Residential Landlord and Tenant Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     34-18-22. Landlord to maintain premises.

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     (a) A landlord shall:

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     (1) Comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes affecting

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health and safety;

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     (2) Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit

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and habitable condition;

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     (3) Keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition;

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     (4) Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing,

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sanitary, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including

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elevators, supplied or required to be supplied by him or her;

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     (5) Provide and maintain appropriate receptacles and conveniences for the removal of

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ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste incidental to the occupancy of the dwelling unit as

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required by § 45-24.3-6, or applicable local codes if more restrictive, and arrange for their

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removal; and

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     (6) Supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times as required by

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§ 45-24.3-7, or applicable local codes if more restrictive, and reasonable heat as required by § 45-

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24.3-9, or applicable local codes if more restrictive, between October 1 and May 1, except where

 

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the building that includes the dwelling unit is not required by law to be equipped for that purpose,

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or the dwelling unit is so constructed that heat or hot water is generated by an installation within

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the exclusive control of the tenant and supplied by a direct public utility connection.

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     (7) Obtain and have in full force and effect a general liability policy of at least one

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hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for those injured on the premises due to the landlord's

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negligence. The landlord must introduce a copy of any policy into evidence in any trespass and

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ejectment action for possession and rent owed. If the landlord has no liability policy, the action

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shall be stayed until the landlord is able to produce evidence that a liability policy is in full force

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and effect.

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     (b) If the duty imposed by subsection (a)(1) of this section is greater than any duty

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imposed by any other paragraph of that subsection, the landlord's duty shall be determined by

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reference to subsection (a)(1) of this section.

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     (c) The landlord and tenant of a dwelling unit may agree in writing that the tenant

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perform specified repairs, maintenance tasks, alterations and remodeling but only if:

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     (1) The agreement of the parties is entered into in good faith and set forth in a writing

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signed by the parties and supported by adequate consideration;

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     (2) The work is not necessary to cure noncompliance with subsection (a)(1) of this

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section; and

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     (3) The agreement does not diminish or affect the obligation of the landlord to other

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tenants in the premises.

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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 require that a landlord obtain and have in full force and effect a general

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liability policy of at least one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for those injured on the

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premises due to the landlord's negligence and to provide such policy into evidence in a trespass

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and ejection action.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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