Rhode Island Lease Termination Letter (Ending a Lease Early)

A free Rhode Island lease termination letter (ending a lease early) that follows Rhode Island law. Fill in the boxes, check the rules below, then print or copy it. Keep a copy and proof of how you sent it.

What Rhode Island law says

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)
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. Source: 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)

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)

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.

Source: 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)

Fill in your letter

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To: [landlord or manager name], [landlord address]

From: [your name], tenant at [rental address]

I am ending my lease early under R.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-15(e), (f) for this reason: [the reason the law allows, e.g. active military orders].

I have attached [the documents the law requires, e.g. a copy of the orders].

My termination date is [termination date], and I will return the keys by [key return date].

Please return my security deposit, less only lawful deductions, to [forwarding address].

Date: [today's date]
Tenant: [your name]
Signature: ____________________

How to send it: use a method you can prove — certified mail with return receipt, or email/text if your lease allows notices that way. Write down the date.

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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.