Rhode Island Security Deposit Law
Rhode Island rules on security deposits for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: One month's periodic rent. A separate furniture deposit (also capped at one month's rent) is allowed only for furnished units whose furniture has a replacement value of $5,000 or more. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a), (e)
The rules in Rhode Island
| Security deposit limit | One month's periodic rent. A separate furniture deposit (also capped at one month's rent) is allowed only for furnished units whose furniture has a replacement value of $5,000 or more. Last amended 2015 and 2018. Cannot be waived in the lease (§ 34-18-19(h)). |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 20 days after the latest of: termination of tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenant providing a forwarding address. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b) |
| Itemized deductions | Written itemized notice of deductions sent with the refund. Allowed deductions: unpaid accrued rent, reasonable cleaning, reasonable trash disposal, and damage beyond normal wear and tear caused by the tenant. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b) |
| Interest on deposits | Not required by statute. § 34-18-19 contains no interest requirement. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 |
| Penalty for withholding | Amount due plus damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(c) |
Free calculators
- Security Deposit Deadline Calculator — See when your landlord must return your deposit, and the penalty your state sets if they don't.
Templates
Related questions
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit?
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit?
- What can a landlord charge for at move-out (cleaning, painting, carpet)?
Rhode Island vs. neighboring states
| State | Security deposit limit | Deposit return deadline | Itemized deductions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | One month's periodic rent. A separate furniture deposit (also capped at one month's rent) is allowed only for furnished units whose furniture has a replacement value of $5,000 or more. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a), (e) | 20 days after the latest of: termination of tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenant providing a forwarding address. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b) | Written itemized notice of deductions sent with the refund. Allowed deductions: unpaid accrued rent, reasonable cleaning, reasonable trash disposal, and damage beyond normal wear and tear caused by the tenant. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b) |
| Connecticut | 2 months' rent; 1 month's rent if the tenant is 62 or older. A tenant who turns 62 after paying more than one month's rent can ask for the excess back. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(b) | 21 days after the tenancy ends, or 15 days after the landlord receives the tenant's written forwarding address, whichever is later. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2) | Landlord must return the full deposit plus interest, or the balance after deductions together with a written statement itemizing the nature and amount of each damage, within the § 47a-21(d)(2) deadline. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 47a-21(d)(2) |
| Massachusetts | Security deposit may not exceed one month's rent. At or before the start of a tenancy a landlord (or the landlord's agent) may require only: first full month's rent, last full month's rent (at the same rate as the first), a security deposit of up to one month's rent, and the purchase and installation cost of a new lock and key. No other upfront charges (e.g., application, pet, or landlord-side broker fees) are allowed. G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b) | 30 days after the tenancy ends (end of a tenancy at will or end of the lease term). The landlord must return the deposit, or whatever balance remains, with any accrued interest. G.L. c. 186, § 15B(4) | To keep any part of the deposit for damage, the landlord must give the tenant, within 30 days after the tenancy ends, an itemized list of the damage. The list must be signed under the pains and penalties of perjury, describe the damage and repairs in precise detail, and include written evidence such as estimates, bills, invoices, or receipts. G.L. c. 186, § 15B(4)(iii) |
City rules that may add to state law
More Rhode Island rental law
- Rhode Island Eviction Laws
- Rhode Island Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- Rhode Island Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
- Breaking a Lease in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Rental Fee Rules
- Rhode Island Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
- Rhode Island Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- Rhode Island Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- Rhode Island Landlord Selling the House
- Rhode Island Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
- Rhode Island Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All Rhode Island landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in Rhode Island
Compare security deposits in all 50 states and DC →
Rhode Island Security Deposit Law FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Rhode Island?
One month's periodic rent. A separate furniture deposit (also capped at one month's rent) is allowed only for furnished units whose furniture has a replacement value of $5,000 or more. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(a), (e))
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Rhode Island?
20 days after the latest of: termination of tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenant providing a forwarding address. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b))
Does a landlord in Rhode Island have to give an itemized list of deposit deductions?
Written itemized notice of deductions sent with the refund. Allowed deductions: unpaid accrued rent, reasonable cleaning, reasonable trash disposal, and damage beyond normal wear and tear caused by the tenant. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(b))
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Rhode Island?
Not required by statute. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19)
What happens if a landlord in Rhode Island wrongfully keeps a security deposit?
Amount due plus damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees. (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19(c))
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.