2024 -- H 7961

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LC005422

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Cruz, Morales, Potter, Stewart, Ajello, Kislak, Felix, and
Sanchez

     Date Introduced: March 05, 2024

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 34-18-22.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-18 entitled

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

     34-18-22.1. Landlord’s duty to notify tenant of violation.

     (a) A landlord, when cited by a state or local minimum housing code enforcement agency

for a housing code violation, shall, within thirty (30) days of receipt of the notice, deliver a copy of

the notice of violation to each residential tenant of the building affected by said violation, unless

within said thirty (30) day period the landlord has corrected all violations set forth in the notice of

violation to the satisfaction of the state or local minimum housing code enforcement agency which

issued the notice of violation.

     (b) A landlord, prior to entering into any residential rental agreement, shall inform a

prospective tenant of any outstanding minimum housing code violations which exist on the building

that is the subject of the rental agreement.

     (c) If a copy of a violation by a state or local minimum housing code enforcement agency

for a housing code violation is not delivered by the landlord or landlord’s registered agent or

manager to each residential tenant of the building affected by said violation, and notice given to

prospective tenants as referenced in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, within thirty (30) days

of receipt of the notice and fail to inform a prospective tenant, a landlord shall be fined up to one

hundred fifty dollars ($150) a day per unit by the local municipal enforcement agencies until said

notice is delivered to affected residential tenants and a prospective tenant(s).

     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 impose a fine up to $150 a day per unit on a landlord for failure to deliver

a copy of a state or local housing code violation to each residential tenant and a notice to prospective

tenants of the building affected by said violation within thirty (30) days of its receipt.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC005422

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