If a rental property in Rhode Island fails to meet legally required health and safety standards, tenants have the right to report their landlord to local public officials who may choose to follow up, inspect the property and cite the landlord for such violations.
What Are Considered Unsafe Living Conditions in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, unsafe living conditions exist when a rental property doesn’t have safe and working:
- Electricity (if provided).
- Heating (from May 1 to October 1).
- Provided appliances.
- Plumbing (kitchen sink, bathroom sink, toilet, and shower / bathtub).
- Hot / cold water.
- Laundry, kitchen, and bathroom lights.
- Screens and storm windows/doors (as required).
- Smoke alarms.
- Features that impact health and safety.
What Should Tenants Do Before Reporting a Violation in Rhode Island?
In most cases, before reporting a violation, a tenant in Rhode Island must notify the landlord in writing about the issue and give 20 days for repairs.
How Can Tenants Report a Violation in Rhode Island?
Tenants in Rhode Island should report violations to the local office or officers responsible for housing code enforcement. The exact process depends on municipality.
| Location | Organization | Contact |
| Providence | PVD 311 | Online Form |
| Cranston | Building Inspections Dept. | Online Form |
| Warwick | Municipal Concerns & Complaints | Online Form |
After receiving a complaint, an inspecting officer might contact the tenant for more information. Then the officer will usually inspect the property and give a written citation to the landlord for any code violations.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Providence?
A tenant in Providence can report a health or safety violation by calling (401) 421-2489 or using the online form provided by the PVD 311 service. Select “Top 311 Request Categories” -> “Substandard Housing Code Issues or Violations.” Enter location, property type, landlord information, and issue description.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Cranston?
A tenant in Cranston can report a health or safety violation by faxing (401) 780-6002 or using the online form for general contacts provided by the Building Inspections Department. Enter contact information, describe the issue including detailed location information, and submit.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Warwick?
A tenant in Warwick can report a health or safety violation by calling (401) 738-2007 or using the online form for municipal concerns and complaints provided by City Hall. Enter contact information, describe the issue including detailed location information, and submit.
What Could Happen to a Landlord After a Complaint Is Made in Rhode Island?
After a tenant files a complaint about unsafe living conditions in Rhode Island, an officer may inspect the property and give a written citation to the landlord for any code violations. The landlord must fix any cited issues within 30 days (except emergencies, which must be fixed immediately).
If the landlord doesn’t fix the cited issues, the officer places a lien on the property (preventing future sale, rental, or transfer) and issues a fine each day the issues continue. Deliberate code violations are crimes under Rhode Island law.
Sources
- 1 R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-31(a) (2022)
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“(a) If, contrary to the rental agreement or § 34-18-22, the landlord willfully or negligently fails to supply heat, running water, hot water, electric, gas, or other essential service, the tenant may give reasonable notice to the landlord specifying the breach…”
Source Link - 2 R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22(a)(1) & (a)(2) (2022)
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“A landlord shall: (1) Comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes affecting health and safety; (2) Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.”
Source Link - 3 R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-28(a) & (b) (2022)
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“(a) Except as provided by this chapter, if there is a noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or a noncompliance with § 34-18-22 materially affecting health and safety, the tenant may deliver a written notice to the landlord specifying the acts and omissions constituting the breach and that the rental agreement will terminate upon a date not less than thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice if the breach is not remedied in twenty (20) days, and the rental agreement shall terminate as provided in the notice subject to the following: [(1) remedied breaches don’t cause termination; (2) recurring noncompliance permits unilateral termination; (3) tenant cannot terminate for his own deliberate or negligent acts; (b) remedies are damages and injunctive relief, plus attorney fees for wilful noncompliance.]”
Source Link - 4 R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-5(a) (2022)
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“The aggrieved party has a duty to mitigate damages.”
Source Link - 5 R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24.3-17(a) & (a)(4) (2022)
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Whenever the enforcing officer determines that any dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, or structure, or the premises surrounding any of these, fails to meet the requirements established in this chapter or in applicable rules and regulations issued pursuant to this chapter, he or she shall issue a notice stating the alleged failures and advising the owner, occupant, operator, or agent that the failures must be corrected. This notice shall… Provide a reasonable time, not to exceed thirty (30) days, for the correction of any alleged violation.”
Source Link - 6 R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24.3-18(b)(1) (2022)
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“Any person who: (i) willfully or recklessly violates any provision of this chapter; or (ii) willfully or recklessly violates, or fails to comply with, any requirement of an order of the enforcing officer; or (iii) makes, or causes any other to make, any false or misleading statement on any registration statement, notice, or other document required to be filed pursuant to this chapter; or on any application, or any accompanying document, for the granting of any permit or any other action by the appropriate authority pursuant to this chapter, is guilty of a ‘violation.’”
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