Rhode Island Eviction Notice Overview
Rhode Island Uses 5-Day Notice, Not 3-Day
Under R.I.G.L. §34-18-35, Rhode Island requires a minimum 5-day notice for non-payment of rent. A 3-day notice is legally insufficient. The notice must demand only the rent amount owed and give the tenant the full 5-day cure period.
Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (R.I.G.L. §34-18-1 et seq.) sets eviction procedures for the state. For non-payment of rent, §34-18-35 requires a minimum 5-day written notice. A 3-day notice is not valid in Rhode Island for any residential eviction purpose.
Rhode Island evictions are filed in the district court. Providence, the state's largest city, handles the majority of cases. Rhode Island is a small state with a single judicial district, so procedures are consistent statewide. The state does not have rent control but does have relatively strong tenant protections including habitability requirements and anti-retaliation provisions.
5 Days
Non-payment notice
$45-$120
Filing fees
Written
Notice required
3-5 wks
Court process
Rhode Island Legal Requirements
Rhode Island's notice requirements under §34-18-35 are straightforward. The landlord must provide a written 5-day notice demanding the past-due rent. The notice must be clear about the amount owed and the tenant's options.
Required Notice Elements
- Written Notice: Must be in writing under R.I.G.L. §34-18-35
- 5-Day Period: Minimum 5 days from service to pay or vacate
- Rent Amount: Exact amount of rent past due (exclude late fees)
- Tenant Names: All tenants named on the lease
- Property Address: Complete address of the rental unit
- Landlord Information: Name and contact information for the landlord or agent
How to Serve an Eviction Notice in Rhode Island
Rhode Island allows personal delivery, certified mail, and other methods approved under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Proper service documentation is required for the district court filing.
Prepare the 5-Day Notice
Verify the exact rent amount owed. Include only base rent in the demand.
Personal Delivery
Hand the notice directly to the tenant. This is the strongest service method.
Certified Mail
If personal delivery is not possible, send via certified mail with return receipt requested.
Document Service
Keep records of date, time, and method for the district court filing.
File in District Court After 5 Days
If the tenant does not pay or vacate, file a complaint for eviction in the district court.
Rhode Island Eviction Timeline
After the 5-day notice expires, the landlord files in district court. Rhode Island district courts schedule hearings within 7-14 days. The tenant is served with a summons and given an opportunity to respond.
At the hearing, the court determines whether eviction is warranted. If the landlord wins, a judgment for possession is entered. The tenant may be given a brief period to vacate before the writ of execution is issued.
The sheriff or constable enforces the writ. Total time from notice to lockout is typically 4-6 weeks for uncontested cases in Rhode Island. Contested cases may take 2-3 months. Providence cases may be slightly slower due to volume.
Rhode Island Court Fees & Costs
Below are the typical costs associated with the eviction process in Rhode Island. Actual fees may vary by county.
| Fee / Cost | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| District Court Filing | $45 - $120 |
| Service of Summons | $20 - $50 |
| Writ of Execution | $25 - $60 |
| Attorney Fees (optional) | $500 - $2,000 |
| Constable Enforcement | $50 - $150 |
Sample Rhode Island Eviction Notice
Below is a preview of the Rhode Island-compliant eviction notice.
5-DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Pursuant to R.I.G.L. §34-18-35
TO TENANT(S):
Name: [Full Legal Name]
Address: [Rhode Island Property Address]
RENT DEMAND:
Past-due rent: $[Amount]
Period: [Month/Year]
NOTICE
You have FIVE (5) DAYS from service to pay the full past-due rent of $[Amount] for [Month/Year] or surrender possession. Failure to comply will result in the filing of an eviction complaint in district court.