S2579

	2026 -- S 2579
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	LC004825
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	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
	____________
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT

	Introduced By: Senators Bissaillon, and Mack
	Date Introduced: February 13, 2026
	Referred To: Senate Housing & Municipal Government
	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
1	SECTION 1. Section 34-18-37 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-18 entitled "Residential
2	Landlord and Tenant Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:
3	34-18-37. Termination of periodic tenancy.
4	(a) The landlord or the tenant may terminate a week-to-week tenancy by a written notice,
5	in a form substantially similar to that provided in § 34-18-56(c), delivered to the other at least ten
6	(10) days before the termination date specified in the notice.
7	(b) The landlord or the tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy or any periodic
8	tenancy for more than a month or less than a year by a written notice, in a form substantially similar
9	to that provided in § 34-18-56(c), delivered to the other at least thirty (30) sixty (60) days before
10	the date specified in the notice, or at least one hundred twenty (120) days before the date specified
11	in the notice for tenants aged sixty-two (62) years or older.
12	(c) The landlord or tenant may terminate a year-to-year tenancy by written notice, in a form
13	substantially similar to that provided in § 34-18-56(c), delivered to the other at least three (3)
14	months prior to the expiration of the occupation year.
15	SECTION 2. Section 34-18-56 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-18 entitled "Residential
16	Landlord and Tenant Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:
17	34-18-56. Notices and complaint forms.
18	(a) A notice in substantially the following language shall suffice for the purpose of giving
19	a tenant a five (5) day demand for payment of rent prior to commencement of an eviction pursuant

1	to § 34-18-35:
2	FIVE-DAY DEMAND NOTICE FOR NONPAYMENT OF RENT
3	R.I.G.L. 34-18-35
4	Date of Mailing: _____________________
5	TO: __________________________
6	(tenant)
7	_____________________________
8	_____________________________
9	You are now more than fifteen days in arrears for some or all of the rent owed under your
10	rental agreement. State law requires that you be sent this Notice of arrearage.
11	Unless you make payment of all rent in arrears within five days of the date this notice was
12	mailed to you, an eviction action may be instituted in court against you. You can prevent the
13	eviction by paying all rent owing within five days of the mailing of this notice.
14	If you believe you have a legal reason for not paying this rent, you will be able to present
15	that defense at the eviction hearing. The rent in arrears as of the above date is $_____________.
16	__________________________
17	________
18	(signature)
19	__________________________
20	________
21	__________________________
22	________
23	(name and address of land-
24	lord/owner)
25	I certify that I placed in regular U.S. mail, first class postage prepaid, a copy of this Notice,
26	addressed to the tenant, on the ________ day of ________________________, 20______.
27	__________________________
28	________
29	(landlord or owner
30	signature)
31	(b) A notice in substantially the following language shall suffice for the purpose of giving
32	a tenant a notice of noncompliance with the rental agreement pursuant to § 34-18-36:
33	NOTICE OF NONCOMPLIANCE
34	R.I.G.L. 34-18-36
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1	Date of Mailing: ____________________
2	TO: __________________________
3	(tenant)
4	_____________________________
5	_____________________________
6	(address)
7	You are in breach of your rental agreement, or of your legal duties under R.I.G.L. 34-18-
8	24, because you:
9
10
11
12	(provide details)
13	To remedy this situation you must do the following within twenty days of the date of
14	mailing of this Notice:
15
16
17
18	If you do not remedy this situation within twenty days, your rental agreement will terminate
19	without further notice on __________ (date, which must be not less than twenty-one days from the
20	date of mailing of this Notice). (NOTE: Under the law you lose this right to remedy your
21	noncompliance if this is the second notice on the same subject within the past six months.) After
22	that date an eviction case may begin in court, and you may be served with a complaint. You will
23	have the right to a hearing and to present any defenses you believe you have.
24	__________________________
25	________
26	(signature)
27	__________________________
28	________
29	__________________________
30	________
31	(name and address of land-
32	lord/owner)
33	I certify that I placed in regular U.S. mail, first class postage prepaid, a copy of this Notice,
34	addressed to the tenant, on the ________ day of ________________________, 20______.
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1	__________________________
2	________
3	(landlord or owner
4	signature)
5	(c) A notice in substantially the following language shall suffice for the purpose of giving
6	a tenant notice of termination of tenancy pursuant to § 34-18-37:
7	NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF TENANCY
8	R.I.G.L. 34-18-37
9	Date of Mailing: _______________________
10	TO: _________________________
11	(tenant)
12	_____________________________
13	_____________________________
14	(address)
15	You are hereby directed to vacate and remove your property and personal possessions from
16	the premises located at __________________________________ and deliver control of the
17	premises to the
18	(address of premises)
19	landlord/owner on the first day after the end of your current rental period, namely
20	____________________, 20_____ rental period, namely __________________.
21	(insert
22	date)
23	This notice is given for the purpose of terminating your tenancy. You must continue to pay
24	rent as it becomes due until the date indicated above. If you fail to pay that rent, a nonpayment
25	eviction action may be instituted against you.
26	If you fail to vacate the premises by the date specified, an eviction may be instituted against
27	you without further notice. If you believe you have a defense to this termination, you will be able
28	to raise that defense at the court hearing.
29	__________________________
30	________
31	(signature)
32	__________________________
33	________
34	__________________________
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1	________
2	(name and address of land-
3	lord/owner)
4	I certify that I placed in regular U.S. mail, first class postage prepaid, a copy of this Notice,
5	addressed to the tenant, on the ________ day of ________________________, 20______.
6	__________________________
7	________
8	(landlord or owner
9	signature)
10	(d) A complaint in substantially the following language shall suffice for the purpose of
11	commencing an eviction action for nonpayment of rent pursuant to § 34-18-35:
12	State of Rhode Island
13	_______________________, Sc. DISTRICT
14	COURT
15	____________________________ _____________
16	DIVISION
17	PLAINTIFF DEFENDANT
18	____________________________
19	__________________________
20	________
21	(Landlord's Name) (Tenant's Name)
22	V
23	__________________________________
24	__________________________
25	________
26	__________________________________
27	__________________________
28	________
29	__________________________________
30	__________________________
31	________
32	(address) (address of rental
33	premises)
34	COMPLAINT FOR EVICTION
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1	FOR NONPAYMENT OF RENT
2	R.I.G.L. 34-18-35
3	1. Plaintiff is the owner/landlord of the rental premises listed above, in which the Defendant
4	Tenant currently resides.
5	2. Defendant is more than fifteen days in arrears in rental payments due to the plaintiff from
6	the defendant. The rent is $__________ per __________, and the amount in arrears is $________
7	as of the __________ day of __________, 20____.
8	(month)
9	3. Plaintiff has served the five-day demand notice as required by law, and a copy of that
10	notice is attached to this complaint. The notice was mailed to the defendant on the __________ day
11	of ________, 20____.
12	4. Defendant has not paid the rent in arrears or offered the full amount in arrears, either
13	before or after the demand notice. Defendant remains in possession of the rental premises.
14	WHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests that this Court grant a judgment for possession of the
15	premises (eviction of the tenant) and for back rent in the amount of $______________, plus costs.
16	__________________________
17	________
18	(Name & address of
19	landlord/owner
20	or attorney for landlord)
21	__________________________
22	________
23	Date complaint filed with clerk __________________
24	(e) A complaint in substantially the following language shall suffice for the purpose of
25	commencing an eviction action for noncompliance with the rental agreement pursuant to § 34-18-
26	36, or an eviction action for unlawfully holding over after expiration or termination of the tenancy
27	pursuant to § 34-18-38:
28	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
29	_______________________, Sc. DISTRICT
30	COURT
31	____________________________ _____________
32	DIVISION
33	PLAINTIFF DEFENDANT
34	____________________________
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1	__________________________
2	________
3	(Landlord's Name) (Tenant's Name)
4	V
5	__________________________________
6	__________________________
7	________
8	__________________________________
9	__________________________
10	________
11	(address) (address of rental
12	premises)
13	COMPLAINT FOR EVICTION
14	FOR REASON OTHER THAN
15	NONPAYMENT OF RENT
16	R.I.G.L. 34-18-36
17	R.I.G.L. 34-18-38
18	1. Plaintiff Landlord(s) owns the rental premises listed above, in which the Defendant
19	Tenant(s) resides.
20	2. CHECK ONE:
21	____ Defendant breached the tenant's obligations under the rental agreement or § 34-18-
22	24 as set forth in the attached copy of the notice of noncompliance which was mailed to the
23	defendant. Defendant has not cured or remedied the breach. (Plaintiff must attach copy of required
24	notice of noncompliance.)
25	____ Defendant has remained in possession of the rented premises following the period set
26	forth in the attached notice of termination of tenancy which was mailed to defendant. (Plaintiff
27	must attach copy of required termination notice.)
28	____ Defendant breached the tenants' obligations under § 34-18-24(8), (9) or (10).
29	3. Plaintiff seeks judgment for possession of the premises plus judgment in the amount of
30
31	for
32
33
34
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1	(explain basis for money claim)
2	Plaintiff seeks costs and fees (if applicable).
3	__________________________
4	________
5	(Signature of Landlord/Owner or
6	Attorney)
7	__________________________
8	________
9	Date complaint filed with clerk __________
10	(f) A complaint in substantially the following language, or in similar language, shall be
11	sufficient for use by landlords or by tenants to bring any claims or causes of action other than
12	eviction actions:
13	NOT FOR EVICTION
14	State of Rhode Island
15	_______________________, Sc. DISTRICT
16	COURT
17	____________________________ _____________
18	DIVISION
19	PLAINTIFF DEFENDANT
20	____________________________
21	__________________________
22	________
23	(Name) (Name)
24	V
25	__________________________________
26	__________________________
27	________
28	__________________________________
29	__________________________
30	________
31	__________________________________
32	__________________________
33	________
34	(address) (address of rental
	LC004825 - Page 8 of 17
1	premises)
2	LANDLORD-TENANT COMPLAINT
3	(NOT FOR USE IN EVICTIONS)
4	1. Plaintiff is the ____ Tenant ____ Landlord/Owner of the rental premises
5	at.
6	(address of rental premises)
7	2. Defendant is the ____ Tenant ____ Landlord/Owner.
8	3. Plaintiff claims that defendant has breached the obligations of the rental agreement or
9	law in relation to this landlord-tenant relationship, as follows:
10
11
12
13	(brief description of claim, attach extra sheet, if necessary)
14	4. Plaintiff seeks the following judgment or relief from the Court:
15
16
17
18	Date Complaint Filed
19	__________________________
20	________
21	With Clerk: __________ (Signature of plaintiff or
22	plaintiff's
23	attorney)
24	__________________________
25	________
26	(address)
27	(g) The summons in an action for eviction for nonpayment of rent pursuant to § 34-18-35
28	shall be in substantially the following form:
29	STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
30	DISTRICT COURT
31	SU
32	MMONS
33	EVICTION-NONPAYMENT OF RENT
34	DIVISION COUNTY CIVIL ACTION-FILE NO.
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1	Address of Court:
2	__________________________________
3	__________________________
4	________
5	__________________________________
6	__________________________
7	________
8	__________________________________
9	__________________________
10	________
11	(name & address of plaintiff landlord) (name & address of
12	defendant-tenant)
13	TO THE TENANT: You are served with an eviction complaint for nonpayment of rent. If
14	you do nothing, you will lose by default and be evicted. If you claim any defense, you must
15	complete the enclosed ANSWER and file it with the Court Clerk at or before the hearing date. You
16	should also mail a copy to the landlord or the landlord's lawyer. Your hearing will be at 9:30 A.M.
17	on the hearing date, at the court address listed above. You should go to the hearing or you may lose
18	by default. If you think the case is "settled," you should still go to the hearing to make sure the
19	settlement is in the court record.
20	YOUR HEARING DATE IS: ________________________________.
21	(Proof of Service on next page)
22	________________________________________
23	PROOF OF SERVICE
24	I hereby certify that I served a copy of the Complaint and Summons & Answer upon the
25	defendant(s) by delivering or leaving said papers in the following manner:
26	______ to the defendant personally; or
27	______ at his or her dwelling unit or usual place of abode
28	at the
29	address listed below with a person of suitable age
30	then
31	residing therein; or
32	______ if none be found, by posting conspicuously on the
33	door
34	to the defendant's dwelling unit.
	LC004825 - Page 10 of 17
1	ADDRESS OF DWELLING OR USUAL PLACE OF ABODE:
2
3	NAME OF PERSON OF SUITABLE AGE:
4
5
6	SERVICE DATE:
7
8	DEPUTY SHERIFF/CONSTABLE:
9
10
11	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
12	I hereby certify that a copy of this Complaint and Summons was placed into regular U.S.
13	Mail, postage prepaid, on the __________________ day of ________________, 20____, addressed
14	to defendant at the following address:
15	________________________________________________.
16	__________________________
17	________
18	(Signature of ____________
19	Clerk)
20	(h) The summons in an action for eviction for noncompliance with the rental agreement
21	pursuant to § 34-18-36, or for unlawfully holding over after termination or expiration of tenancy
22	pursuant to § 34-18-38, shall be in substantially the following form:
23	State of Rhode Island
24	District Court
25	Summons
26	EVICTION FOR REASON OTHER THAN NONPAYMENT OF RENT
27	DIVISION COUNTY CIVIL ACTION-
28	FILE NO.
29	Address of Court:
30	__________________________________
31	__________________________
32	________
33	V
34	__________________________________
	LC004825 - Page 11 of 17
1	__________________________
2	________
3	__________________________________
4	__________________________
5	________
6	(name & address of plaintiff landlord) (name & address of defendant-
7	tenant)
8	TO THE TENANT: You are served with an eviction complaint for noncompliance with
9	rental agreement (R.I.G.L. 34-18-36), or for unlawfully holding over after termination or expiration
10	of tenancy (R.I.G.L. 34-18-38). If you do nothing, you will lose by default and be evicted. If you
11	claim any defense, you must complete the enclosed ANSWER and file it with the Court Clerk
12	within TWENTY (20) days after you are served with this summons and complaint. You should also
13	mail a copy of the ANSWER to the landlord or the landlord's lawyer. If you file the enclosed
14	ANSWER, then you will receive another written notice telling you when the hearing will be. If you
15	have any questions, you may consult a lawyer. If you think the case is "settled" you should still file
16	the enclosed ANSWER or be sure that the written settlement is in the file at the Clerk's office.
17	(Proof of Service on next page)
18	________________________________________
19	PROOF OF SERVICE
20	I hereby certify that I served a copy of the Complaint, Summons, and Answer form upon
21	the defendant(s) by delivering or leaving said papers in the following manner:
22	____ to the defendant personally
23	____ at his/her dwelling unit or usual place of abode at the address listed below, with a
24	person of suitable age then residing therein
25	____ to an agent named below authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of
26	process
27	____ further notice as required by law was given as noted below
28	Address of dwelling or usual place of abode:
29
30	Name of person of suitable age or of agent:
31
32	Service Date: ____________________
33	Deputy Sheriff/Constable (circle one):
34	__________________________
	LC004825 - Page 12 of 17
1	________
2	(signature)
3	(i) The summons in an action relating to any claims by tenants, or by landlords other than
4	for eviction, shall be in substantially the following form:
5	State of Rhode Island
6	District Court
7	Summons
8	____________ ____________
9	_____________________________
10	DIVISION COUNTY CIVIL ACTION-
11	FILE NO.
12	_____________________________
13	_____________________
14	________
15	PLAINTIFF PLAINTIFF'S
16	ATTORNEY
17	__________________________
18	________
19	ADDRESS
20	_________________ vs
21	DEFENDANT
22	__________________________
23	________
24	DEFENDANT'S ADDRESS
25	______________________________
26	__________________________
27	________
28	TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT:
29	You are hereby summoned and required to serve upon the plaintiff's attorney, whose name
30	and address appears above, an answer to the complaint which is herewith served upon you. Your
31	answer must be made within 20 days after service of this summons, excluding the date of service.
32	The original must be filed in writing with this court. If you fail to do so, judgment by default will
33	be taken against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.
34	______________________________
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1	__________________________
2	________
3	DATE CLERK
4	______________________________
5	__________________________
6	________
7	SEAL OF THE DISTRICT COURT DATE
8	RECEIVED
9
10	PROOF OF SERVICE
11	I hereby certify that on the date below I served a copy of this summons and a copy of the
12	complaint received herewith upon the above-named defendant by delivering or leaving said papers
13	in the following manner:
14	□ to the defendant personally.
15	□ at his dwelling house or usual place of abode at the address entered
16	below, with a person of suitable age and discretion then residing therewith.
17	□ to an agent named below authorized by appointment or by law to receive
18	service of process.
19	□ Further notice as required by statute was given as noted on the reverse
20	side.
21
22	Address of Dwelling or Usual Place of Abode
23
24	Name of Authorized Agent or Person of Suitable Age
25	______________________________
26	__________________________
27	________
28	Date Deputy Sheriff/Constable
29	______________________________
30	__________________________
31	________
32	SERVICE FEE $________
33	(j) The blank answer served in eviction actions shall be in substantially the following form:
34	State of Rhode Island
	LC004825 - Page 14 of 17
1	_______________________, Sc. DISTRICT
2	COURT
3	____________________________ _____________
4	DIVISION
5	PLAINTIFF DEFENDANT
6	____________________________
7	__________________________
8	________
9	(Landlord's Name) (Tenant's Name)
10	V
11	__________________________________
12	__________________________
13	________
14	__________________________________
15	__________________________
16	________
17	(address) (address of rental
18	premises)
19	INSTRUCTIONS TO THE DEFENDANT
20	Listed below are several possible defenses to the eviction action your landlord has filed
21	against you. If one or more of these defenses apply to your case, check the appropriate box(es). If
22	space is provided, write in facts in support of that defense. Use additional paper if necessary. Some
23	of these defenses are technical, and there may be others not listed here. You may consult a lawyer
24	and seek representation before filling out this Answer.
25	TENANT'S ANSWER
26	The complaint against me is untrue or fails to state the following facts:
27	I offered rent, but my landlord refused it. I am still able and willing to pay the rent.
28	I have a defense for nonpayment because the landlord has failed to maintain the premises
29	in a fit and habitable condition.
30	My rent has not been paid, but I have a legally justifiable defense for not paying:
31	I have a written lease which does not expire until:
32	I have not received the required notice from the landlord before this complaint was served
33	on me.
34	The landlord is trying to evict me because I have exercised my legal rights by calling code
	LC004825 - Page 15 of 17
1	enforcement officials, or by taking the following protected action:
2	I have other defenses as follow:
3	WHEREFORE: Because of the defense(s) indicated above, I ask the court to grant a
4	judgment in my favor and not order me to be evicted.
5	COUNTERCLAIM
6	Instructions: If you believe you are entitled to be awarded damages or money for any reason
7	from your landlord, you may fill out the statement below:
8	I hereby sue my landlord for the amount of $_____________.
9	I believe I am entitled to receive an award of this amount because
10
11	__________________________________
12	__________________________
13	________
14	Name of Defendant (or attorney) Signature of Defendant
15	___________________________________
16	Address
17	___________________________________
18	Telephone number
19	___________________________________
20	SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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	LC004825
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	EXPLANATION
	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
	OF
	A N A C T
	RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT
	***
1	This act would increase the notification time about rent increases and termination of
2	tenancy for month-to-month tenants.
3	This act would take effect upon passage.
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	LC004825
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	LC004825 - Page 17 of 17