Rental Application in Rhode Island

A rental application that collects what landlords commonly ask for. Follow your state's limits on application fees and fair-housing rules: ask every applicant the same questions.

What Rhode Island law says

Application / screening fees	Banned since January 1, 2024: landlords, brokers and property managers may not require any rental application fee. They may require an official state criminal background check (BCI/AG/police) or a credit check, but if the applicant supplies one issued within the past 90 days no fee may be charged; otherwise the fee may not exceed the actual cost, and the applicant charged must receive a copy of the report. Landlords may obtain their own reports at their own expense. P.L. 2023, ch. 319 and ch. 320. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-59
Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income	Yes, statewide. Refusing to rent, or inquiring about, 'lawful source of income' is an unlawful housing practice. Lawful source of income includes child support, alimony, Social Security, SSI, other public assistance, and any federal, state or local rental assistance or housing subsidy, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, and any requirement associated with those programs. Definition at http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-37/34-37-3.htm. The Act also bars inquiries about domestic abuse victim status and housing status. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 34-37-4(a); 34-37-3(18)

Application / screening fees

Banned since January 1, 2024: landlords, brokers and property managers may not require any rental application fee. They may require an official state criminal background check (BCI/AG/police) or a credit check, but if the applicant supplies one issued within the past 90 days no fee may be charged; otherwise the fee may not exceed the actual cost, and the applicant charged must receive a copy of the report. Landlords may obtain their own reports at their own expense.

P.L. 2023, ch. 319 and ch. 320.

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-59

Statewide ban on refusing Section 8 / source of income

Yes, statewide. Refusing to rent, or inquiring about, 'lawful source of income' is an unlawful housing practice. Lawful source of income includes child support, alimony, Social Security, SSI, other public assistance, and any federal, state or local rental assistance or housing subsidy, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, and any requirement associated with those programs.

Definition at http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-37/34-37-3.htm. The Act also bars inquiries about domestic abuse victim status and housing status.

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 34-37-4(a); 34-37-3(18)

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RENTAL APPLICATION — [rental address]

Applicant name: [applicant name] Phone: [phone] Email: [email]

Current address: [current address] How long: [time at current address] Current rent: $[current rent]

Current landlord: [current landlord name and phone]

Previous address and landlord: [previous address and landlord]

Employer: [employer] Position: [position] Monthly income: $[monthly income] Other income (including housing vouchers or benefits): [other income]

Other adults who will live in the unit: [other adult occupants] Number of minors: [number of minors]

Pets or assistance animals: [pets] Vehicles: [vehicles]

Application fee: $[application fee] (see your state's rule above). Screening company used: [screening company name and contact]

I authorize the landlord to verify this information and obtain a tenant screening or credit report. Signature: ____________ Date: [date signed]

Rental Application for other states · Rhode Island tenant rights

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.