Eviction in Providence County (Providence), Rhode Island
Where eviction cases are filed in Providence County (Providence), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Providence County (Providence)
- Eviction court
- Rhode Island District Court - Sixth Division — District Court (statewide trial court with original jurisdiction over all eviction actions) Court page
- Filing fee
- $80 District Court civil filing fee, plus one-time $17.50 case processing fee (Tyler) and $3.25 technology surcharge; civil execution $20. Credit card payments add 3.25%. RI District Court Civil Fees and Costs
- Notice before filing (state law)
- Once rent is 15 days in arrears, landlord may mail a written demand; tenant has 5 days from mailing to pay or the rental agreement terminates. Landlord may file no earlier than the 6th day after mailing. Rhode Island rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $1,729/month HUD
- Renter households
- 111,642 (43% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-22
Where eviction cases are filed in Providence County (Providence)
Eviction cases in Providence County (Providence) are heard by the Rhode Island District Court - Sixth Division (District Court (statewide trial court with original jurisdiction over all eviction actions)).
- District Court 6th Division, J. Joseph Garrahy Judicial Complex — 1 Dorrance Plaza, Providence, RI 02903 · website
Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center
The District Court has original jurisdiction of all eviction actions regardless of amount. The 6th Division sits in the Garrahy Judicial Complex in Providence; Civil Department (401) 458-5401, Clerk's Office (401) 458-5400. Appeals go to Superior Court for a trial de novo. Look up cases on the RI Judiciary Public Portal.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Providence County (Providence)
$80 District Court civil filing fee, plus one-time $17.50 case processing fee (Tyler) and $3.25 technology surcharge; civil execution $20. Credit card payments add 3.25%.
Statewide District Court schedule. The page lists the general civil filing fee and does not name eviction separately; confirm with the clerk. Fee waiver (in forma pauperis) not verified on this page.
Source: RI District Court Civil Fees and Costs
How eviction cases work locally
| Types of eviction cases | District Court hears eviction for nonpayment of rent (residential tenant 15+ days in arrears) and evictions for other reasons (termination of tenancy; noncompliance with rental agreement), plus restraining orders for unlawful lockouts or utility shutoffs by a landlord. Source: Official source |
|---|---|
| Mediation | The District Court civil page lists the Center for Mediation and Collaboration Rhode Island, (401) 273-9999. Source: Official source |
| Appeals | Appeals from District Court trials proceed to the Superior Court for a trial de novo. Source: Official source |
The Rhode Island eviction process
Rhode Island state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Providence County (Providence):
- Notice: 5-day demand after rent is 15 days late (§ 34-18-35), 20-day breach notice (§ 34-18-36), or 30-day periodic termination notice (§ 34-18-37)
- File complaint in District Court on statutory forms (§ 34-18-56)
- Nonpayment: clerk sets hearing 14 to 24 days after filing; summons, complaint and blank answer mailed on filing day and served by sheriff/constable at least 5 days before hearing (§ 34-18-10(a))
- Tenant may answer before or at the hearing in nonpayment cases (§ 34-18-35); in breach/holdover cases the tenant has 20 days from service to answer (§ 34-18-36(c))
- Hearing and judgment for possession and damages
- If no appeal, execution may issue on the 6th day after judgment (§ 34-18-48)
- Execution carried out by the division of sheriffs or a certified constable
Full Rhode Island eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Providence County (Providence)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Providence-Fall River, RI-MA HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,318 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,402 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,729 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,087 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,480 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Providence County (Providence): $1,312/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
All 16 Providence County cities and towns are in this HUD area.
County tenant ordinance
Rhode Island has no county governments; landlord-tenant law is statewide (R.I. Gen. Laws Title 34, Ch. 18).
Eviction help in Providence County (Providence)
Free legal help
- Rhode Island Legal Services — Free civil legal aid for low-income Rhode Islanders; Housing Stability Project. Providence office 401-274-2652.
- Center for Justice — Tenant Advocacy Project clinics for low-income tenants (substandard housing); listed by the District Court, (401) 491-1101.
- RI Bar Association Volunteer Lawyer Program — Listed by the District Court: (401) 421-7758; Lawyer Referral Service (401) 421-7799.
Rental assistance
- RIHousing renter programs — Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) and project-based rental assistance; no current emergency rent/eviction-prevention program was listed.
Related
- Rhode Island landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Rhode Island (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Providence County (Providence)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Providence County (Providence)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Providence County (Providence)?
What is the fair market rent in Providence County (Providence)?
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.