Getting The Deposit Back
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 — no more than one month's rent, an itemized notice and the balance within twenty days, and twice the amount withheld
A landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit of more than one month's periodic rent.
Twenty days. The landlord delivers the deposit due, with a written notice itemizing anything kept, within twenty days after the latest of the end of the tenancy, the return of possession, or the tenant giving a forwarding address for the deposit.
- Unpaid rent that has accrued.
- Reasonable cleaning and trash disposal.
- Physical damage beyond ordinary wear and tear caused by the tenant's breach of the tenant's duties.
Those are the only deductions. A landlord who does not comply owes the amount due plus damages of twice the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorney fees.
A furnished apartment whose furniture is worth $5,000 or more may also carry a separate furniture deposit of up to one month's rent.
A particular deposit is a question for a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 — Security deposits
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Rhode Island attorney.