Landlord Won't Make Repairs in Rhode Island: What Can I Do?
This page covers what a Rhode Island landlord must keep in working order and how to ask for repairs. It names the steps the law lists when repairs are not made. It also covers protection from payback for complaining and what happens in an eviction case over unpaid rent.
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Rhode Island law lists what a landlord must do. For example, a landlord must follow building and housing codes that affect health and safety. A landlord must keep common areas clean and safe. A landlord must keep electrical, plumbing, heating and other facilities in good and safe working order. The duty covers facilities that the landlord supplies or must supply.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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Ask for repairs in writing. Say what is broken and when you first noticed it. Keep a copy of the request and take dated photos of the problem.
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Rhode Island sets a cost limit on repair and deduct (you fix a problem and subtract the cost from your rent). The reasonable cost must be less than $500 in total for the year. The landlord must have failed certain of its duties. Examples are following codes that affect health and safety, and keeping the home fit to live in. The work must be done in a skilled manner and follow state and local codes. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.
RenterLaw editorial Rhode Island General Assembly R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22(a) Rhode Island General Assembly R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-30(a)✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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Repair and deduct (you fix a problem and subtract the cost from your rent) starts with a notice. Tell your landlord you plan to fix the problem at the landlord's expense. The landlord then has 20 days after your written notice. The landlord must comply or show ongoing, good faith efforts to comply.
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In an emergency, repair and deduct (you fix a problem and subtract the cost from your rent) has a different test. You can meet it if you cannot reach the landlord. You can meet it if the landlord does not comply as promptly as conditions require. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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After you repair and deduct (fix it and subtract the cost from rent), send your landlord an itemized statement (a list of each cost). It must show the cost or the fair and reasonable value of the repairs. You may subtract only the actual and reasonable cost or fair and reasonable value. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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A tenant may not repair at the landlord's expense in some cases. One case is when the tenant caused the condition by a deliberate or negligent (careless) act or failure to act. Another is when a family member or another person on the property with the tenant's consent caused it.
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Suppose your landlord fails to supply heat, running water, hot water, electric, gas, or another essential service. The failure must be willful (on purpose) or negligent (careless). It must also go against your rental agreement or the landlord's legal duties. Those duties include keeping the home fit to live in. After reasonable notice naming the breach, you may take reasonable steps to get reasonable amounts of that service. You may subtract the actual and reasonable costs from your rent. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.
RenterLaw editorial Rhode Island General Assembly R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22(a) Rhode Island General Assembly R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-31(a)✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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Rhode Island law covers a landlord who fails to supply heat, running water, hot water, electric, gas, or other essential service. The failure must be willful (on purpose) or negligent (careless). You may give reasonable notice that names the breach. You may then recover money the landlord must pay you, based on the drop in the fair rental value of your home. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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Rhode Island law covers a landlord who fails to supply heat, running water, hot water, electric, gas, or other essential service. The failure must be willful (on purpose) or negligent (careless). You may give reasonable notice and get reasonable substitute housing. Rhode Island law then excuses you from paying rent for the period the landlord fails to comply. If a court later disagrees, you can owe the rent and face eviction. Get legal help first.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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Rhode Island law bars a landlord from retaliating (getting back at you). The landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or bring or threaten an action for possession (an eviction case). The law lists cases where the landlord may still act. The bar applies in four cases. The first is a complaint to a government agency that enforces building or housing codes, about a violation materially affecting health and safety. The second is a complaint to the landlord that they broke a repair duty, such as keeping electric, plumbing, and heating in working order. The third is joining a tenants' union or similar organization. The fourth is using any other lawful rights.
Rhode Island General Assembly R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46(a) Rhode Island General Assembly R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22(a)✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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Rhode Island law lets a landlord bring an action for possession (an eviction case) in three situations despite the retaliation rule. The first is when the tenant, a family member, or another person on the property with consent mainly caused the code violation. The cause must be lack of reasonable care. The second is when the tenant is in default in rent (behind on rent). The third is when complying with the code or other public action requires alteration (change), remodeling, or demolition (tearing down). That work must effectively take away the tenant's use of the home. The city or town must have met the relocation requirements.
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Suppose your Rhode Island landlord sues to evict you (an action for possession) because you did not pay rent. You may counterclaim (make your own claim in the same case). You may claim any amount you may recover under your rental agreement or the state rental law. The court may order you to pay all or part of the rent owed and later rent into court. If no rent remains due after that, judgment (the court's decision) is for you in the eviction case. If your defense or counterclaim is frivolous (not serious) or has no basis in fact, your landlord may recover reasonable attorney's fees. You get money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
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