Rhode Island

Rhode Island Sublease Agreement Template 1 pdf 1 Rhode Island Sublease Agreement Template

Tenants Right to Sublet

Under Rhode Island law, tenants do not have a default legal right to sublet; they must follow the terms of their lease. Most leases fall into one of the following:

  • Subletting is strictly prohibited.
  • Allowed only with the landlord’s written consent. [Landlord and Tenant Handbook PDF]
  • Allowed outright or not mentioned, meaning no permission required.

If the lease requires written landlord consent, tenants must send a request by certified mail and include the following details:

  • Sublease term (start and end dates)
  • Name, contact info of proposed subtenant
  • Reason for subletting
  • Tenant’s forwarding address
  • Consent of any co-tenants
  • Copy of proposed sublease, signed by both parties

The landlord can screen potential subtenants for legitimate reasons—such as financial stability—but cannot deny based on protected characteristics (e.g., race, religion, disability) under Fair Housing rules.

If a tenant sublets without permission, it’s a lease violation. The landlord may issue a 20-day notice to vacate or correct and then pursue eviction and damages.

Subtenants enjoy tenant rights—like privacy and habitability—but cannot sue the landlord directly; they must go through the original tenant.

Short‑Term Rental / Lodging Tax

Rhode Island regulates and taxes short‑term rentals (STRs) under state and local laws:

  • Registration: All STRs (under 30 nights) must register with the RI Dept. of Business Regulation (DBR) and display the registration number on listings. Platforms like Airbnb/Vrbo must ensure compliance and remove unregistered listings within 14 days or face fines of $250–$1,000 per day. [1]
  • State Sales Tax: 7% applies to the total rental charge (including cleaning fees) for stays under 30 nights.
    • 6% on room rentals.
    • 1% on whole‑home rentals.
  • Hotel (Lodging) Tax: Collected monthly, in addition to sales tax.
  • Local Taxes: Newport adds its own taxes—6% on room rentals and 1% on whole-home stays, making total tax rates up to ~19% for rooms and ~15% for full homes.

STR platforms are required to collect and remit all state and local taxes on behalf of hosts. Hosts letting directly must self-register and file tax returns.

Non-compliance can trigger fines: $250 for first 30 days, $500 for 31–60 days, $1,000 for over 60 days.

Sample Rhode Island Sublease Agreement Template

PDF | Word (.docx)

Sources

  1. Rhode Island Department of Revenue
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Sample Rhode Island Room Rental Lease Agreement Template

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Sample Rhode Island Lease-to-Own Agreement

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🏠 Rhode Island Tenant Rights & Landlord Obligations

Tenant Rights

  • Right to habitable living conditions
  • Privacy rights and proper notice for entry
  • Protection from discrimination
  • Timely return of security deposits
  • Right to organize tenant associations

Landlord Obligations

  • Maintain property in habitable condition
  • Make necessary repairs promptly
  • Provide required disclosures
  • Follow proper eviction procedures
  • Respect tenant privacy rights

Required Disclosure Forms in New Jersey – 4

Rhode Island landlords must provide specific disclosures to tenants as mandated by state law. Failure to provide these disclosures can result in legal complications and potential liability.

  1. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Form – If the property was built before 1978, landlords must notify tenants about potential lead-based paint potential hazards.
  2. Code Violations (if any)- Landlords must disclose to tenants if there are any outstanding code violations against the property. [Truth-in-Renting Act]
  3. Landlord/Owner Identification – Landlords must share the names of property managers, property owners, and anyone authorized to receive legal notices, to adhere to the Landlord Identity Law.
  4. Security Deposit Information – Banking details and return procedures. Landlords must disclose where security deposits are held, applicable interest rates, and the process for returning deposits after lease termination.

Sample Rhode Island Residential Lease Agreement Template

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a rental application fee legal in Rhode Island?

Yes, landlords in Rhode Island can charge reasonable application fees to cover the cost of background checks and credit reports. However, the fee should be limited to actual costs incurred.

How long does a landlord have to respond to a rental application?

While Rhode Island doesn’t specify a timeframe, most landlords respond within 1-3 business days. It’s recommended to follow up if you haven’t heard back within a week.

Can a landlord reject an application based on income?

Yes, landlords can set income requirements (typically 2.5-3 times the monthly rent) as long as these standards are applied consistently and don’t discriminate against protected classes.

RHODE ISLAND RENTAL APPLICATION TEMPLATE 1 pdf Rhode Island Rental Application Form

💵 Rental Application Fees

As of January 1, 2024, Rhode Island law prohibits landlords, brokers, property managers, or designees from charging any rental application fee—including background checks, credit reports, screenings, or administrative fees. [1]

✅ Exceptions — Pass‑through Costs Only

Landlords may only charge applicants for the actual cost of an official state criminal background check or credit report if the applicant does *not* provide their own reports dated within 90 days. If the landlord charges for these costs, they must provide a copy of the report to the applicant. [1][2]

📜 Tenant Copy Requirement

If an applicant is charged for a background or credit report, the landlord is required to furnish the applicant with a copy of that report. [1]

💰 Security Deposit Limit

Under Rhode Island law, landlords may charge a security deposit **up to one (1) month’s rent** only. [3]

🚫 Unauthorized Fees & Scams

Despite the law, some landlords attempt to charge “application” or viewing fees. Tenants report:

“Application fees are pretty common, but that’s for once you’ve seen the place…and it’s now illegal for landlords to charge application fees.”

And:

“Landlords are now charging $35 background checks…Should not be passed on to tenants.”

Any unexpected fees charged during the application process, may violate state law — Rhode Island’s Attorney General has taken enforcement actions against non-compliant landlords.

Sample Rhode Island Rental Application Form

🔍 Legal References

  1. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34‑18‑59 (prohibiting application fees; allowing pass‑through costs with tenant-supplied 90‑day reports)
  2. Partridge Snow & Hahn summary (explaining effective date and exceptions)
  3. Tenant handbook interpretation (security deposit = 1 month’s rent)
Rhode Island Car Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form pdf Rhode Island DMV Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Template

A Rhode Island DMV motor vehicle bill of sale is a form that is used during the sale and purchase of a car. It includes details about the vehicle, seller, and buyer. This form is necessary to register a car not bought from a dealer. In some cases, it needs to be notarized.

When selling a car in Rhode Island, the vehicle’s mileage must be listed in section E of the title change and registration application. However, there isn’t a specific odometer disclosure form.

Type of Sale

Rhode Island DMV Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale: Template Example

Sample

https://simpleforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Rhode-Island-Car-Motor-Vehicle-Bill-of-Sale-Form.pdf

Rhode Island Simple 1 Page Residential Lease Agreement 1 pdf Rhode Island 1-Page Residential Lease Agreement Templates

An Rhode Island lease agreement is used in rental property and it is a contract between a landlord and a tenant in exchange for monthly rent payments. The agreement also includes the terms and conditions of the lease.

Rental Application – Tenant(s) should complete this form before signing lease agreement. This application will confirm the Tenants credit and employment.

Form Options By Type

standard rental agreement form Rhode Island 1-Page Residential Lease Agreement TemplatesStandard Residential Lease Agreement

 
simple 1 page residential lease agreement form Rhode Island 1-Page Residential Lease Agreement TemplatesSimple (1-Page) Lease Agreement

 

 

Most Recent US Home Facts

  • Population (2023): 334,914,895
  • Median Households (2022): 125,736,353
  • Median Household Income (2022): $75,149
  • Owner-occupied Households (2022): 64.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

What to Include in the Form?

lease-agreement

Required Disclosures (3)

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

Code Violations

Landlord/Owner Identification

Security Deposits

Maximum – One (1) months rent is the maximum rent a landlord can charge a tenant.

Returns – Landlords must return all deposits to the Tenant within twenty (20) days of the lease end date.

Source: § 34-18-19(a)

Landlord Access

General Access – It is not mandatory for a landlord to provide prior notice before entering the premises as per state law although Landlords should give at least 24 hours notice to the Tenants.

Paying Rent

Grace Period – 15-day grace period in Rhode Island.

Late Fees – There is no specific law that limits the amount of late fees a landlord can charge.

NSF Fee – $25 per bounced check.

Source: § 6-42-3(b)(2)

 

Rhode Island 1-Page Lease Agreement Example

Sample

https://simpleforms.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Rhode-Island-Simple-1-Page-Residential-Lease-Agreement.pdf

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