Chapter 319
2023 -- H 6087 AS AMENDED
Enacted 06/24/2023

A N   A C T
RELATING TO PROPERTY – RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

Introduced By: Representatives Cruz, Shekarchi, Kazarian, Speakman, Potter, Stewart, Casimiro, Slater, Blazejewski, and Abney

Date Introduced: March 03, 2023

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Chapter 34-18 of the General Laws entitled "Residential Landlord and Tenant
Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:
     34-18-5859. Fair limitation on rental application fees -- Effective January 1, 2024.
     (a) A landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, real estate broker, property management company, or
designee shall not be allowed to require or demand any prospective tenant to pay for a rental
application fee.
     (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, real
estate broker, property management company, or designee from requiring an official state criminal
background check from the bureau of criminal identification (BCI), department of attorney general,
state police or local police department where the prospective tenant resides or from requiring a
credit check subject to the following limitations:
     (1) If a prospective tenant provides a required official state criminal background check or
credit report issued within ninety (90) days of the application for a rental unit, no fee for such
official state criminal background check and/or credit report may be charged by the respective
landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, real estate broker, property management company, or designee;
     (2) If a prospective tenant does not provide a required official state background check
and/or credit report issued within ninety (90) days of the application for a rental unit, then the
landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, real estate broker, property management company, or designee may
charge the prospective tenant a fee representing not more than the actual cost of obtaining the
official state background check and/or credit report. Provided further, any prospective tenant who
is charged a fee under this subsection for a background check or credit report shall be provided
with a copy of the background check or credit report; and
     (3) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the landlord, lessor, sub-lessor,
real estate broker, property management company, or designee from obtaining an independent
background check or credit report at the landlord's own expense.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2024.
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