Landlord & tenant · Rhode Island
the short answer
Your landlord has 20 days, counted from the last of three things to happen: the tenancy ending, you handing back the place, and you giving a forwarding address. Money kept wrongly is worth twice that amount on top of what you are owed, plus reasonable attorney's fees.
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
governing statute
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
deadline
20 days
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Across the country. 2 of the 47 states written up answer this the same way as Rhode Island. The shortest is 14 days, as in Alaska; the longest is 60 days, as in Alabama. Compare every state →
penalty
The amount due, plus damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees.
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
which court
District court
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
small claims limit
$5,000
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
also
Twenty days after the latest of three events: the tenancy ending, possession being delivered, or you giving the landlord a forwarding address.
source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.
your situation
Everything above is the law as it reaches everyone in Rhode Island. What it means for you turns on facts only you have. Tell us what happened and we'll ask the same questions a lawyer would — about 90 seconds, free, and anonymous.
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