LANDLORD GUIDE · RHODE ISLAND
Reviewed November 13, 2026
For an existing private residential tenancy. Fixed-term changes, assisted housing, mobile-home spaces and required local forms need a separate review. This guide explains selected rules; it is not a coverage determination or legal advice for a particular property.
Sixty days, with a longer rule for older monthly tenants
Rhode Island §34-18-16.1 requires at least 60 days' written notice before a rent increase. For month-to-month tenants over age 62, it requires at least 120 days. The wording is 'over age 62'; do not casually rewrite the threshold when applying the statute.
This tool uses 120 days for every monthly tenant so it does not need to collect age information. That is a conservative product choice, not a statement that the ordinary statutory rule is 120 days for everyone. A longer lease promise or applicable housing program still needs review.
Timing is separate from a fixed-term contract
Confirm that the tenancy is monthly. A fixed lease may set the price for its entire term despite monthly payments. Review any permitted adjustment or plan the renewal with the correct notice. The form is not intended to resolve midterm fixed-lease changes.
State the old and new dollar amounts and the first affected payment. If a fee or included utility is also changing, explain it through appropriate terms; the standard unchanged-terms sentence should remain accurate.
Example: avoid collecting age when a longer schedule works
For $1,400 current rent and $1,470 proposed rent, the change is $70 or 5%. Planning the proposal at least 120 days ahead can satisfy both ordinary and age-based notice floors without asking the household to provide age documentation. Verify the rental cycle and actual delivery rather than simply adding four calendar months, which may not equal the required days.
Delivery and follow-up
Use an appropriate delivery method and preserve the actual date, recipients and final notice. If the first attempt fails or the date changes, recheck the timeline before collection. Keep any tenant agreement and response with the lease. For a disputed change, resolve the legal basis before entering the proposed difference as overdue rent. The notice does not authorize a lockout or replace the separate possession process.
Official sources and updates
Dated caps apply only to the periods stated. Check the official sources before preparing a later increase.