Breaking a Lease in Rhode Island
Rhode Island rules on breaking a lease for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: Since July 1, 2026, a tenant may end a lease without early-termination penalties or fees, or liability for future rent, if within the last 150 days the tenant or a household member was a victim of abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, or an event in that period, combined… R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-11, 34-18-63 to 34-18-67 (P.L. 2026, chs. 147 and 148, Rhode Island Survivor Early Lease Termination Act)
The rules in Rhode Island
| Ending a lease: domestic violence | Since July 1, 2026, a tenant may end a lease without early-termination penalties or fees, or liability for future rent, if within the last 150 days the tenant or a household member was a victim of abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, or an event in that period, combined with past abuse, makes the victim fear for their safety. The tenant must give the landlord written verification of a protective order, of having started a protective-order case, or of a police report, or a written statement from a law enforcement official, attorney, health care provider, social worker, mental health counselor, therapist or victim advocate (at a nonprofit, college, university or state agency). The verification and the household's personal information must be kept confidential. The tenant must move out within 30 days of giving notice (or as agreed) and owes rent only through the later of the termination date or move-out; the deposit and any prepaid rent are refunded under § 34-18-19, with an itemized statement, within 20 days if possession is returned without damage. Landlords may not refuse to rent, and housing subsidy providers may not deny assistance, because someone used this right or asked for a lock change. On request of all tenants in possession (or with a court order), a landlord must within 2 business days make a good-faith effort to change the locks, or let the tenant change them, when a tenant or adult household member reasonably fears imminent abuse at the premises; the landlord may charge a reasonable fee. If the landlord does not act, the tenant may change the locks and must give the landlord a key within 2 business days. A landlord who blocks a permitted lock change or fails to give the tenant a new key owes two months' rent plus costs and attorney fees, unless the court finds good faith. The district court can order compliance, and waivers are void. Enacted June 18, 2026 as P.L. 2026, ch. 147 (H 7199 Sub A) and ch. 148 (S 2291 Sub A), effective July 1, 2026 (https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/PublicLaws/law26/law26148.htm). The act also adds definitions of "abuse", "domestic violence" and "household member" to § 34-18-11. A landlord who in good faith takes action against a remaining tenant or household member under these sections is protected from retaliation claims. |
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| Ending a lease: military, medical, death | Seniors: a tenant 65 or older (or turning 65 during the lease) may terminate to enter an assisted living/residential care facility, a nursing facility, or federally designated elderly housing, by written notice with documentation of admission or pending admission; termination is effective no earlier than 45 days after the first rent due date following notice. Military: a servicemember may terminate on written notice plus a copy of orders when entering service after signing, or on permanent change of station or deployment of 90+ days; effective 30 days after the next rent due date (monthly leases) or the last day of the following month; no early termination charge and prepaid rent refunded within 30 days. No medical/disability or tenant-death termination right found. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-15(e), (f) |
Related questions
- Can I break my lease because of domestic violence?
- Can I break my lease for military orders, medical reasons or a death?
Rhode Island vs. neighboring states
| State | Ending a lease: domestic violence | Ending a lease: military, medical, death |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | Since July 1, 2026, a tenant may end a lease without early-termination penalties or fees, or liability for future rent, if within the last 150 days the tenant or a household member was a victim of abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, or an event in that period, combined with past abuse, makes the victim fear for their safety. The tenant must give the landlord written verification of a protective order, of having started a protective-order case, or of a police report, or a written statement from a law enforcement official, attorney, health care provider, social worker, mental health counselor, therapist or victim advocate (at a nonprofit, college, university or state agency). The verification and the household's personal information must be kept confidential. The tenant must move out within 30 days of giving notice (or as agreed) and owes rent only through the later of the termination date or move-out; the deposit and any prepaid rent are refunded under § 34-18-19, with an itemized statement, within 20 days if possession is returned without damage. Landlords may not refuse to rent, and housing subsidy providers may not deny assistance, because someone used this right or asked for a lock change. On request of all tenants in possession (or with a court order), a landlord must within 2 business days make a good-faith effort to change the locks, or let the tenant change them, when a tenant or adult household member reasonably fears imminent abuse at the premises; the landlord may charge a reasonable fee. If the landlord does not act, the tenant may change the locks and must give the landlord a key within 2 business days. A landlord who blocks a permitted lock change or fails to give the tenant a new key owes two months' rent plus costs and attorney fees, unless the court finds good faith. The district court can order compliance, and waivers are void. R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-11, 34-18-63 to 34-18-67 (P.L. 2026, chs. 147 and 148, Rhode Island Survivor Early Lease Termination Act) | Seniors: a tenant 65 or older (or turning 65 during the lease) may terminate to enter an assisted living/residential care facility, a nursing facility, or federally designated elderly housing, by written notice with documentation of admission or pending admission; termination is effective no earlier than 45 days after the first rent due date following notice. Military: a servicemember may terminate on written notice plus a copy of orders when entering service after signing, or on permanent change of station or deployment of 90+ days; effective 30 days after the next rent due date (monthly leases) or the last day of the following month; no early termination charge and prepaid rent refunded within 30 days. No medical/disability or tenant-death termination right found. R.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-15(e), (f) |
| Connecticut | A tenant who is a victim of family violence (leases entered into or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2011), or of sexual assault, including a parent or guardian with physical custody of a dependent victim (leases on or after Jan. 1, 2014), may end the lease without penalty or liability for the rest of the term. The tenant must reasonably believe it is necessary to leave because of fear of imminent harm to the tenant or a dependent, and must give the landlord at least 30 days' written notice. The notice must include a statement under oath or affirmation that the tenant or dependent is a victim, the intended termination date, and that the tenant has moved out or will move out by that date (anything left behind is treated as abandoned). It must also include either (a) a police or court record of the act dated no more than 90 days before the notice, or (b) a signed statement from an employee of the Judicial Branch Office of Victim Services or the Office of the Victim Advocate dated no more than 30 days before the notice. The tenant still owes rent arrears and damages incurred before termination, and co-tenants stay liable. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-11e | Chapter 830 has no state-law early termination right for military service (beyond the federal SCRA), medical or disability reasons, or seniors moving into care. Other termination rights in the chapter: the tenant may terminate on 14 days' written notice if the landlord's material noncompliance recurs within 6 months after notice (§ 47a-12); may terminate if essential services are wilfully cut off (§ 47a-13); and may vacate and terminate if fire or casualty makes the unit unusable, giving written notice within 14 days (§ 47a-14). Tenant death: when the sole occupant dies, the landlord may follow a probate-court affidavit and inventory process to regain possession (§ 47a-11d). This is a landlord remedy, not an estate termination right. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 47a-11d, 47a-12, 47a-13, 47a-14 |
| Massachusetts | A tenant or co-tenant may end the lease by written notice to the owner that a household member is a victim of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or stalking. The notice must come within 3 months of the latest act, or while the household member reasonably fears imminent serious physical harm. The tenant must move out within 3 months of the notice or the notice is void. Liability: rent ends 30 days or one full rental period after the move-out date, whichever is later. Prepaid rent after that is refunded, and the deposit statement is due within 30 days. Proof the owner may request (any one): a protective order under c. 209A or 258E; a court or law enforcement record; or written verification from a qualified third party plus the victim's statement under penalty of perjury. The owner must keep the documents confidential. Other co-tenants stay bound by the lease. G.L. c. 186, § 24 | Not verified yet |
City rules that may add to state law
More Rhode Island rental law
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- Rhode Island Rental Fee Rules
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- Rhode Island Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- Rhode Island Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- Rhode Island Landlord Selling the House
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- Rhode Island Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All Rhode Island landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in Rhode Island
Compare breaking a lease in all 50 states and DC →
Breaking a Lease in Rhode Island FAQ
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in Rhode Island?
Since July 1, 2026, a tenant may end a lease without early-termination penalties or fees, or liability for future rent, if within the last 150 days the tenant or a household member was a victim of abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, or an event in that period, combined with past abuse, makes the victim fear for their safety. The tenant must give the landlord written verification of a protective order, of having started a protective-order case, or of a police report, or a written statement from a law enforcement official, attorney, health care provider, social worker, mental health counselor, therapist or victim advocate (at a nonprofit, college, university or state agency). The verification and the household's personal information must be kept confidential. The tenant must move out within 30 days of giving notice (or as agreed) and owes rent only through the later of the termination date or move-out; the deposit and any prepaid rent are refunded under § 34-18-19, with an itemized statement, within 20 days if possession is returned without damage. Landlords may not refuse to rent, and housing subsidy providers may not deny assistance, because someone used this right or asked for a lock change. On request of all tenants in possession (or with a court order), a landlord must within 2 business days make a good-faith effort to change the locks, or let the tenant change them, when a tenant or adult household member reasonably fears imminent abuse at the premises; the landlord may charge a reasonable fee. If the landlord does not act, the tenant may change the locks and must give the landlord a key within 2 business days. A landlord who blocks a permitted lock change or fails to give the tenant a new key owes two months' rent plus costs and attorney fees, unless the court finds good faith. The district court can order compliance, and waivers are void. (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-11, 34-18-63 to 34-18-67 (P.L. 2026, chs. 147 and 148, Rhode Island Survivor Early Lease Termination Act))
When can a tenant break a lease without penalty in Rhode Island?
Seniors: a tenant 65 or older (or turning 65 during the lease) may terminate to enter an assisted living/residential care facility, a nursing facility, or federally designated elderly housing, by written notice with documentation of admission or pending admission; termination is effective no earlier than 45 days after the first rent due date following notice. Military: a servicemember may terminate on written notice plus a copy of orders when entering service after signing, or on permanent change of station or deployment of 90+ days; effective 30 days after the next rent due date (monthly leases) or the last day of the following month; no early termination charge and prepaid rent refunded within 30 days. No medical/disability or tenant-death termination right found. (R.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-15(e), (f))
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.