State law · statute quotes
Rhode Island security deposit laws for landlords and property managers
The words of Rhode Island's security deposit statute on each topic, quoted verbatim with pinpoint citations and links to the official source. No summaries, no interpretation.
Reviewed by Mark Shvaya, licensed California real estate broker (DRE #02243502), who uses ProFlow360 in a rental portfolio Mark manages
Last reviewed
Quoted on this page
- Deposit limit
- Returning the deposit
- Itemized statement
- Inspections and condition reports
- Photographs
- Normal wear and tear
- Interest
- Wrongful withholding
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19
On this page
What this page covers
Rhode Island's residential security deposit provisions quoted here come from R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19. Below are the statute's own words on 5 topics, each with a pinpoint citation and a link to the official text. This page does not summarize or interpret the law.
What does Rhode Island law say about the amount of a security deposit?
A landlord may not demand or receive a security deposit, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess of one month’s periodic rent.
What does Rhode Island law say about returning the deposit?
The landlord shall deliver the notice, together with the amount of the security deposit due to the tenant, within twenty (20) days after the later of either termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenant’s providing the landlord with a forwarding address for the purpose of receiving the security deposit.
What does Rhode Island law say about an itemized statement of deductions?
the amount of security deposit due to the tenant shall be the entire amount given by the tenant as a security deposit, minus any amount of unpaid accrued rent, the amount due, if any, for reasonable cleaning expenses, the amount due, if any, for reasonable trash disposal expenses and the amount of physical damages to the premises, other than ordinary wear and tear ... all as itemized by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant.
How does Rhode Island law refer to normal wear and tear?
the amount of physical damages to the premises, other than ordinary wear and tear, that the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant’s noncompliance with § 34-18-24
What does Rhode Island law say about wrongful withholding?
If the landlord fails to comply with subsection (b), the tenant may recover the amount due him or her, together with damages in an amount equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorney fees.
Not quoted on this page
inspections and condition reports, photographs, interest. That does not mean Rhode Island law is silent on them; other sections or local rules may apply. Read the full statute.
Has Rhode Island's security deposit law changed recently?
From our review of the official history notes: Official history line: P.L. 1986, ch. 200, § 2; P.L. 2015, ch. 125, § 1; P.L. 2015, ch. 134, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 229, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 260, § 1. No 2024–2026 amendment to § 34-18-19 shown. (Chapter 34-18 has newer sections on application fees, § 34-18-59, and convenience fees, § 34-18-61 — not deposit provisions.)
How does ProFlow360 help you document a Rhode Island tenancy?
ProFlow360 records and organizes inspection evidence; it does not tell you what the statute requires or allows. What it records, for any state:
- Move-in, routine, pre-move-out and move-out inspections with photos timestamped at capture.
- Each move-out photo beside its move-in match, filed under the tenancy.
- Itemized lines with your classification, the amount you entered, and the estimate or invoice attached.
- An issued record that is sealed, shared by a link that expires and can be revoked.
Do this in ProFlow360
Keep the photos, the call and the invoice on the same line
Every deduction line carries the move-in and move-out photos, your classification and its documents, so the record can be followed by someone who was not there.
Kitchen · counter burn, left of range
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MI-21 · Jul 12, 2024
MO-29 · Sep 30, 2026Security deposit statutes in nearby states
Sources
Sources checked October 16, 2026.
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