Heat and Hot Water
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-31 — heat from October 1 to May 1, hot water at all times, and three remedies when they stop
The landlord supplies running water and reasonable hot water at all times, and reasonable heat between October 1 and May 1, unless the tenant controls the installation on a direct utility connection.
When the landlord willfully or negligently fails to supply heat, water, hot water, electric, gas or another essential service, the tenant may give reasonable notice of the breach and then choose one of these:
- Securing reasonable heat, water or service during the breach and deducting the actual cost from rent.
- Recovering damages for the drop in the unit's fair rental value.
- Finding reasonable substitute housing, owing no rent for the period, and recovering its cost up to one period's rent.
Reasonable attorney's fees may be recovered under any of them.
Choosing this section rules out the general repair remedies for the same breach. A particular situation is a question for a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22 — Landlord to maintain premises
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-31 — Wrongful failure to supply heat, water, hot water, or essential services
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.