Free Rhode Island Rental Lease Agreement


Sample Rhode Island Rental Lease Agreement

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

THIS RESIDENTIAL LEASE (the "Lease") dated this ___ day of ____________________,20___.

BETWEEN:

_______________

(the "Landlord")

- AND-

_______________

(the "Tenant")

(individually the "Party" and collectively the "Parties")

IN CONSIDERATION OF the Landlord leasing certain premises to the Tenant and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

    Leased Property

  1. The Landlord agrees to rent to the Tenant the house, municipally described as ______________________, ______________________, Rhode Island, ______________________ (the "Property"), for use as residential premises only.
  2. No guests of the Tenants may occupy the Property for longer than one week without the prior written consent of the Landlord.
  3. Term

  4. The term of the Lease is a periodic commencing at 12:00 noon on _____________of _____________, 20___ and continuing on a month-to-month basis until the Landlord or the Tenant terminates the tenancy.
  5. Rent

  6. Subject to the provisions of this Lease, the rent for the Property is $_____________ per week (the "Rent").
  7. The Tenant will pay the Rent weekly, on or before ______________ of each and every week of the term of this Lease to the Landlord at ______________________, ______________________, State of Rhode Island, ______________________ or at such other place as the Landlord may later designate by Cash.
  8. Tenant Improvements

  9. The Tenant will obtain written permission from the Landlord before doing any of the following:
    1. applying adhesive materials, or inserting nails or hooks in walls or ceilings other than two small picture hooks per wall;
    2. painting, wallpapering, redecorating or in any way significantly altering the appearance of the Property;
    3. removing or adding walls, or performing any structural alterations;
    4. installing a waterbed(s);
    5. changing the amount of heat or power normally used on the Property as well as installing additional electrical wiring or heating units;
    6. placing or exposing or allowing to be placed or exposed anywhere inside or outside the Property any placard, notice or sign for advertising or any other purpose; or
    7. affixing to or erecting upon or near the Property any radio or TV antenna or tower.
  10. Insurance

  11. The Tenant is hereby advised and understands that the personal property of the Tenant is not insured by the Landlord for either damage or loss, and the Landlord assumes no liability for any such loss.
  12. Attorney Fees

  13. In the event that any action is filed in relation to this Lease, the unsuccessful Party in the action will pay to the successful Party, in addition to all the sums that either Party may be called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful Party's attorney fees.
  14. Governing Law

  15. This Lease will be construed in accordance with and exclusively governed by the laws of the State of Rhode Island.
  16. Severability

  17. If there is a conflict between any provision of this Lease and the applicable legislation of the State of Rhode Island (the "Act"), the Act will prevail and such provisions of the Lease will be amended or deleted as necessary in order to comply with the Act. Further, any provisions that are required by the Act are incorporated into this Lease.
  18. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Lease will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Lease.  Such other provisions remain in full force and effect.
  19. Amendment of Lease

  20. This Lease may only be amended or modified by a written document executed by the Parties.
  21. Damage to Property

  22. If the Property should be damaged other than by the Tenant's negligence or willful act or that of the Tenant's employee, family, agent, or visitor and the Landlord decides not to rebuild or repair the Property, the Landlord may end this Lease by giving appropriate notice.
  23. Care and Use of Property

  24. The Tenant will promptly notify the Landlord of any damage, or of any situation that may significantly interfere with the normal use of the Property or to any furnishings supplied by the Landlord.
  25. The Tenant will not engage in any illegal trade or activity on or about the Property.
  26. The Parties will comply with standards of health, sanitation, fire, housing and safety as required by law.
  27. The Parties will use reasonable efforts to maintain the Property in such a condition as to prevent the accumulation of moisture and the growth of mold. The Tenant will promptly notify the Landlord in writing of any moisture accumulation that occurs or of any visible evidence of mold discovered by the Tenant. The Landlord will promptly respond to any such written notices from the Tenant.
  28. If the Tenant is absent from the Property and the Property is unoccupied for a period of 4 consecutive days or longer, the Tenant will arrange for regular inspection by a competent person. The Landlord will be notified in advance as to the name, address and phone number of the person doing the inspections.
  29. At the expiration of the term of this Lease, the Tenant will quit and surrender the Property in as good a state and condition as they were at the commencement of this Lease, reasonable use and wear and tear excepted.
  30. Rules and Regulations

  31. The Tenant will obey all rules and regulations of the Landlord regarding the Property.
  32. Address for Notice

  33. For any matter relating to this tenancy, the Tenant may be contacted at the Property or through the phone number below. After this tenancy has been terminated, the contact information of the Tenant is:
    1. Name: _______________
    2. Phone: ______________________
  34. For any matter relating to this tenancy, whether during or after this tenancy has been terminated, the Landlord's address for notice is:
    1. Name: _______________
    2. Address: ______________________, ______________________, State of Rhode Island, ______________________

      The contact information for the Landlord is:

    3. Phone: ______________________
  35. General Provisions

  36. All monetary amounts stated or referred to in this Lease are based in the United States dollar.
  37. Any waiver by the Landlord of any failure by the Tenant to perform or observe the provisions of this Lease will not operate as a waiver of the Landlord's rights under this Lease in respect of any subsequent defaults, breaches or non-performance and will not defeat or affect in any way the Landlord's rights in respect of any subsequent default or breach.
  38. This Lease will extend to and be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, as the case may be, of each Party. All covenants are to be construed as conditions of this Lease.
  39. All sums payable by the Tenant to the Landlord pursuant to any provision of this Lease will be deemed to be additional rent and will be recovered by the Landlord as rental arrears.
  40. Where there is more than one Tenant executing this Lease, all Tenants are jointly and severally liable for each other's acts, omissions and liabilities pursuant to this Lease.
  41. Locks may not be added or changed without the prior written agreement of both Parties, or unless the changes are made in compliance with the Act.
  42. The Tenant will be charged an additional amount of $25.00 for each N.S.F. check or checks returned by the Tenant's financial institution.
  43. Headings are inserted for the convenience of the Parties only and are not to be considered when interpreting this Lease. Words in the singular mean and include the plural and vice versa. Words in the masculine mean and include the feminine and vice versa.
  44. This Lease may be executed in counterparts. Facsimile signatures are binding and are considered to be original signatures.
  45. This Lease constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties.
  46. During the last 30 days of this Lease, the Landlord or the Landlord's agents will have the privilege of displaying the usual 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' or 'Vacancy' signs on the Property.
  47. Time is of the essence in this Lease.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF _______________ and _______________ have duly affixed their signatures on this ___ day of ____________________,20___.

_________________________________
Landlord: _______________

  _________________________________
Tenant: _______________

The Tenant acknowledges receiving a duplicate copy of this Lease signed by the Tenant and the Landlord on the _____ day of ______________________, 20____.

_________________________________
Tenant: _______________

   

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

Property: ______________________, ______________________, Rhode Island, ______________________
Landlord: _______________
Tenant: _______________

Landlord's Disclosure

The Landlord CERTIFIES THAT:

  1. The Landlord has NO knowledge of any lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in or about the Property.
  2. The Landlord has NO records or reports relating to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in or about the Property.
Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

 Landlord: _______________

per: _________________________________


Tenant's Disclosure

The Tenant ACKNOWLEDGES receipt of:

  1. the information contained in the above Landlord's Disclosure including the above-mentioned reports and records; and
  2. the pamphlet Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home (EPA-747-K-99-001) or an equivalent pamphlet that has been approved for use in the state by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

 Tenant: _______________

per: _________________________________

The pamphlet Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home can be ordered in hard copy or can be printed from the website http://www2.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-lead-your-home.


Asbestos Disclosure

Property: ______________________, ______________________, Rhode Island, ______________________
Landlord: _______________
Tenant: _______________

Landlord's Disclosure

The Landlord CERTIFIES THAT:

  1. The Landlord has investigated and there is no asbestos in or about the Property.
  2. The Landlord has NO records or reports with respect to asbestos in or about the Property.
Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

 Landlord: _______________

per: _________________________________


Tenant's Disclosure

The Tenant ACKNOWLEDGES receipt of the information contained in the above Landlord's Disclosure including any reports and records.

Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

Tenant: _______________

per: _________________________________

Rhode Island Rental Lease Agreement

If you are looking for a residential rental unit in Rhode Island or making plans to get into the real estate business in the state of Rhode Island, you need to know the rental laws as well as your obligations and rights. In this article, we look at the most important things to check before signing a rental lease agreement in Rhode Island:

  • The Official Rules and Regulations

    • Residential Landlord and Tenant Act - § 34-18

    • Limitation o

    • f Actions - § 9-1-13

  • Security Deposit

    • The security deposit Maximum does not exceed one month’s rent

    • No statutes govern security deposit interest, pet deposits, setting up separate security deposit bank account, or non-refundable fees.

    • The deadline for returning the security deposit is within 20 days after the termination of tenancy, delivery of abandoned possessions, or after the landlord receives the tenant’s forwarding address.

    • Some of the permitted uses of the security deposit include:

      • The payment of outstanding rent

      • It could be used to cover the amount of physical damages to the premises besides the ordinary, and the expected physical damages from the tenant’s non-compliance

    • A written description or an itemized list of damages and charges should be prepared.

    • No statutes govern record-keeping of deposit withholdings or the receipt of the deposit.

    • If the landlord fails to comply with the rules that require returning of the security deposit, the tenant could recover the amount due and the damages with twice the amount of the money withheld wrongfully. The landlord will also pay court and attorney fees

  • Lease, Fees, and Rent

    • Rent is due as it is agreed in the lease. In case an agreement doesn’t exist, rent is payable at the beginning of the month

    • A rent increase notice of 30 days is required before the rent increase takes effect. And, if you have monthly tenants above 62 years, you will have to issue a 60-day notice for rent increase

    • The rent grace period and the late fees have no statutes

    • Regarding prepaid rent after the day of the effective termination, the landlord will have to refund the money within 30 days.

    • The tenant could withhold rent if the landlord fails to provide essential services such as water or heat

    • For repairs costing less than $125, the tenant can repair and deduct rent. This applies only if the condition that calls for repairs did not result from the tenant’s deliberate action or inaction, or neglect. However, the tenant has to notify the landlord their intention to repair the problem, and they can only go on with repairs if the landlord fails to remedy the problem within 20 days.

    • The landlord can recover court and attorney fees if an eviction ensues

    • The landlord should make a reasonable attempt to remedy damages to a lessee, and this includes any efforts to re-rent.

    • Early termination or abandonment is disallowed. Notwithstanding, after vacating the premises the tenant will be responsible for the unpaid rent and any other obligations stated in the Rhode Island rental lease agreement.

    • Notices and Entry

    • You have to read the Rhode Island Notice and Complaint Form

    • No notice is required for the termination of fixed end leases because they expire.

    • Termination of yearly leases with no end dates require q 3-month notice, before the expiry of the occupation year

    • For termination of monthly leases, a 30-day notice is necessary before the date specified in the notice

    • The termination of weekly leases is valid after the issuance of a 10-day written notice

    • Termination of a lease with a 24-hour notice requires that the landlord files for immediate eviction without especially if the tenant violates the statutory tenant duties that relate to violence or drugs crimes.

    • The state has no statute for giving notices on the date or time of move-out inspections.

    • If a tenant fails to maintain the premises in accordance to the set rules and, in a manner that affects the health and the safety of other dwellers, the landlord can issue a 20-day notice specifying the breach and requesting a remedy.

    • In the event of nonpayment, the landlord could issue a 5-day written notice before the termination of the lease, if the rent is 15 days late. Eviction should commence no earlier than the 6th day after the issue of the written notice

    • Termination of the tenancy before going to an assisted living facility for tenants aged above 65 years becomes effective no earlier than 45 days after the due date of the first renal payment due date, after the notice of the lease termination.

    • The notice before entry is given 2-days before entry is allowed

    • The notice should also be provided for non-emergency repairs and maintenance works

    • Entry is also permitted for showings, and emergency entry is granted without notice.

    • If a tenant is absent for extended periods, entry without notice is required. As a result, notice is required before a tenant’s extended absence

    • Lockouts and utility shut-offs aren’t needed

Disclosures and Miscellaneous notes

This covers details like names and addresses, landlord’s duties, domestic violence situations, tenant’s duties, retaliation, landlord paying moving costs for non-compliant housing and Lead disclosures.

  • Court Related Matters

    • The State of Rhode Island charges among the lowest limits of $2,500. It doesn’t allow eviction cases.

    • The statute of Limitations recognizes written and oral contracts for 10 years.

Business Licenses

Before you fill out our free online rental lease agreement form in Rhode Island, you might want to know that no statewide statutes exist but cities like Warwick or Providence requires the registration of business licenses.

Sample

RI Rental Lease Agreement

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