The cost of an eviction in Rhode Island for all filing, court, and service fees can vary heavily based on service fees. Eviction cases shall be filed in District Court and the average cost is $235. The case can also be filed in the appropriate Housing Court.
| Fee | District |
| Initial Court Filing | $80+ |
| Summons Service | ~$45 |
| Writ of Execution Issuance | $20 |
| Writ of Execution Service | $45 |
| Writ of Execution Enforcement | $45 |
| Notice of Appeal Filing (Optional) | $150 |
These filing, court, and service fees do not include outside costs such as legal fees or post-eviction fees (i.e., locksmith fees, storage costs for a tenant’s abandoned property, cleaning service fees, repair costs, or advertising costs for a vacant dwelling unit).
1. Initial Court Filing Fee
In Rhode Island, if the eviction notice expires and the tenant remains on the property without correcting the issue, the landlord may file an eviction lawsuit (“Forcible Detainer”) with the court the following business day.
The filing fee for an initial Forcible Detainer is $80 [ttip number=’1′ icon=’popover-balance’] plus a technology surcharge of $25. [ttip number=’2′ icon=’popover-balance’]
Note, if the landlord is paying by credit card a $3.25% fee would apply.
2. Summons Service Fee
Once a Complaint is filed in Rhode Island, the court will issue a Summons. The Summons is the tenant’s official notice of an eviction lawsuit and contains important information (i.e., when and where to appear in court). The landlord must arrange for a process server to deliver the Summons to the tenant.
The Summons service fee varies by process server. For example, a sheriff or constable can charge $45 per tenant for delivering a Summons.
3. Writ of Execution Issuance Fee
In Rhode Island, if the court rules in favor of the landlord, the court shall issue a Writ of Execution upon the landlord’s request. The writ is the tenant’s final notice to vacate the premises. The filing fee for a writ is $20. [ttip number=’3′ icon=’popover-balance’]
4. Writ of Execution Service Fee
A Rhode Island sheriff or constable must serve the Writ of Execution to the tenant. They may charge a service fee that does not exceed $45.
5. Writ of Execution Enforcement Fee
In Rhode Island, if a tenant remains at the premises after the writ expires, a sheriff or constable may execute the writ by removing the tenant from the premises. They can charge a fee of $45. [ttip number=’3′ icon=’popover-balance’]
6. Notice of Appeal Filing Fee
If either party chooses to file an Appeal, they may do so as long as the Notice of Appeal is filed within 5 calendar days of the judgment. The filing fee is $150. [ttip number=’4′ icon=’popover-balance’]
Sources
- 1 RI Gen L § 9-29-1. (2022)
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(a) Every district court shall be allowed the following fees, in full, to be taxed in the bill of costs in every civil action:
(2) For the entry of every other action ………………………………….. $80.00.
(b) In addition to the fees set forth herein, the district court shall apply a technology surcharge assessed in accordance with § 8-15-11.
- 2 RI Gen L § 8-15-11. (2022)
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In addition to any other filing fees or court costs required by law or court rule, parties to any court matter may be required to pay a technology surcharge or fee not to exceed twenty-five dollars ($25.00) at the inception or the conclusion of any case, or upon making any electronic payment online to any of the courts within the unified judicial system. Such surcharges or fees shall be determined by the state court administrator with the approval of the chief justice.
- 3 RI Gen L § 9-29-1. (2022)
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(3) For every writ of execution ………………………………….. $20.00.
- 4 R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-29-9 (2022)
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(2)For serving all other writs, citations, or subpoenas . . . . . $45.00
- 5 R.I. Sup. Ct. R. 5 (2022)
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Every person appealing from a judgment or order of a trial court in a civil case and every person seeking issuance of an extraordinary writ pursuant to Rule 13 shall pay a filing fee as prescribed by these rules. When two (2) or more parties file a joint notice of appeal pursuant to Rule 3(b), each appellant shall pay one hundred fifty dollars ($150).
