| Chapter 125 |
| 2015 -- S 0440 Enacted 06/25/2015 |
| A N A C T |
| RELATING TO PROPERTY - RESIDENTIAL SECURITY DEPOSITS |
| Introduced By: Senators Jabour, Metts, Pichardo, Lombardi, and Archambault |
| Date Introduced: February 25, 2015 |
| It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
| SECTION 1. Section 34-18-19 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-18 entitled |
| "Residential Landlord and Tenant Act" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
| 34-18-19. Security deposits. -- (a) A landlord may not demand or receive a security |
| deposit, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess of one month's periodic rent. |
| (b) Upon termination of the tenancy, the amount of security deposit due to the tenant |
| shall be the entire amount given by the tenant as a security deposit, minus any amount of unpaid |
| accrued rent, the amount due, if any, for reasonable cleaning expenses, the amount due, if any, for |
| reasonable trash disposal expenses and the amount of physical damages to the premises, other |
| than ordinary wear and tear, which the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant's |
| noncompliance with ยง 34-18-24, all as itemized by the landlord in a written notice delivered to |
| the tenant. The landlord shall deliver the notice, together with the amount of the security deposit |
| due to the tenant, within twenty (20) days after the later of either termination of the tenancy, |
| delivery of possession, or the tenant's providing the landlord with a forwarding address for the |
| purpose of receiving the security deposit. |
| (c) If the landlord fails to comply with subsection (b), the tenant may recover the amount |
| due him or her, together with damages in an amount equal to twice the amount wrongfully |
| withheld, and reasonable attorney fees. |
| (d) This section does not preclude the landlord or tenant from recovering other damages |
| to which he or she may be entitled under this chapter. |
| (e) In the event the landlord transfers his or her interest in the premises, the holder of the |
| landlord's interest in the premises at the time of the termination of the tenancy is bound by this |
| section. |
| (f) No rental agreement shall contain any waiver of the provisions of this section. |
| SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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| LC001589 |
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