Rhode Island Repair Request Letter to Landlord
A free Rhode Island repair request letter to landlord 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
| Repair and deduct | Yes, for repairs costing less than $500 in aggregate per year: tenant gives written notice; if the landlord does not comply (or show good-faith ongoing efforts) within 20 days, the tenant may have the work done in a skilled, code-compliant manner and deduct the actual reasonable cost after giving an itemized statement. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-30 |
|---|---|
| Withholding rent | No self-help withholding statute. In a nonpayment or rent action, the tenant may counterclaim for the landlord's noncompliance; the court may order rent paid into court and nets the amounts owed - if no rent remains due, judgment for possession goes to the tenant. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-32 |
| Landlord retaliation | Landlord may not raise rent, decrease services, or bring/threaten a possession action because the tenant complained to a code-enforcement agency, complained to the landlord about maintenance violations, organized or joined a tenants' union, or exercised other lawful rights. Retaliation is presumed if the tenant complained within 6 months before the landlord's action. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46 |
| Heat | Yes. The landlord must supply reasonable heat as required by the state housing code (or stricter local code) between October 1 and May 1. Heating facilities must be capable of heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms and toilet compartments to at least 68°F, measured 18 inches above the floor, under average winter conditions. Exceptions: buildings not required to be equipped for heat, and units where the tenant controls a heating installation on a direct utility connection. |
| Mold | No statute — general habitability/repair duty applies. Rhode Island has no mold disclosure, remediation or exposure-standard law for rentals; the landlord must comply with building and housing codes affecting health and safety and 'make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.' |
Fill in your letter
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To: [landlord or manager name], [landlord address]
From: [your name], tenant at [rental address]
I am asking you to repair the following problems at my rental: [describe each problem, where it is, and when it started].
I first reported this on [date first reported] by [phone, text, email, portal or letter].
Please make these repairs by [date]. You may enter to make repairs after giving the notice required by law; times that work for me: [access times].
Rhode Island law protects tenants from retaliation for asking for repairs (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46).
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.
Repair Request Letter to Landlord templates for other states · All Rhode Island landlord-tenant rules · Free legal help in Rhode Island
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.