Rhode Island Notice to Pay Rent or Quit Template
What a Rhode Island notice to pay rent or quit must include under Rhode Island law, and a fill-in draft that follows those rules.
Use the official form if there is one
What Rhode Island law requires
Once rent is 15 days in arrears, the landlord must send a written five-day demand notice substantially in the statutory form (34-18-56(a)): date of mailing, statement that the tenant is more than 15 days in arrears, the amount of rent in arrears, demand for payment, and that unless all arrears are paid within 5 days of mailing an eviction may be filed; it also tells the tenant defenses can be raised at the hearing. The form includes the landlord's certification of mailing by regular first-class U.S. mail. The eviction complaint may be filed no earlier than the 6th day after mailing. If no demand notice was sent within the prior 6 months, the tenant may cure at the hearing by paying all arrears plus court costs.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-35; 34-18-56(a)
Fill-in draft
Replace every [bracketed] item. If your state or city requires specific wording, a specific form, or a translated version, that requirement controls over this draft. Courts dismiss eviction cases over defective notices — if anything is unclear, talk to a lawyer.
NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
To: [tenant name(s)] and all other occupants
Premises: [street address, unit, city, state, ZIP]
You owe rent of $[amount] for [rental period(s)].
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35, you must pay the full amount within 5 days after this notice is delivered, or move out of the premises.
Pay to: [name], at [address / payment method], between [hours].
If you do not pay or move out by the deadline, the landlord may file an eviction case in court. Only a court can order you to leave.
Date: [date]
Landlord or agent: [name, address, phone]
Signature: ____________________
Proof of delivery: Delivered on [date] by [method required by Rhode Island law] by [name].
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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.