Updated August 21, 2023
A Rhode Island eviction notice is a letter used to notify a tenant that they have committed a violation of their lease agreement. It must include the reason for the notice and the number (#) of days the tenant has to cure the problem. If the tenant doesn’t respond, the landlord may seek an eviction filing in the District Court.
By Type (4)
24-Hour Notice to Quit (Illegal Activity) – This form is to inform the tenant of imminent eviction proceedings if they do not leave the premises immediately due to illegal activity.
Download: PDF
5-Day Notice to Quit (Non-Payment of Rent)– Pursuant to § 34-18-35, this type of notice cannot be issued until rent has been at least fifteen (15) days late.
Download: PDF
20-Day Notice to Quit (Non-Compliance) – For use when a tenant is breaching a lease, other than for non-payment of rent. If the tenant conducts the same violation within the last six (6) months this notice can be modified to be incurable and the tenant will be forced to vacate the premises.
Download: PDF
30-Day Notice to Quit (Month-to-Month Tenancy) – For use when a landlord seeks to inform a tenant that he or she does not intend to renew a month-to-month tenancy.
Download: PDF
Table of Contents |
Eviction Laws
- Non-Payment: 5 days’ notice after rent is late for at least 15 days. § 34-18-35
- Non-Compliance: 20 days. § 34-18-36
- Illegal Activity: No notice required. § 34-18-24 & 34-18-36(f)
- Termination (Month-to-Month Lease): 30 days. § 34-18-37(b)
- Eviction Lawsuit: Forcible Entry and Detainer. Chapter 34-19
Court Forms
Complaint for Eviction for Non-Payment of Rent (DC-54) – This complaint form is filed by the landlord in order to evict a tenant for failing to pay rent.
Complaint for Eviction for Reason Other than Non-Payment of Rent (DC-38) – Landlords may file this complaint form to evict a tenant for any reason other than the non-payment of rent.
Answer Defendant/Tenant (DC-53) – Completed by the tenant after receiving notification of an eviction action filed against them. This form allows the tenant to state the reasons why they should be permitted to retain their tenancy.
When is Rent Due
Rent is due on the date set forth in the rent, however, a landlord may not send notice to the tenant that the rent is late until fifteen (15) days after the due date.
How to Evict (6 steps)
- Provide Notice to Tenant
- File a Complaint with Local Court
- Serve Tenant / Wait for Tenant’s Answer
- Attend Hearing
- Receive Court Judgment
- Obtain Execution for Eviction If Necessary
1. Provide Notice to Tenant
Before a landlord may seek a court’s assistance to evict a tenant, a landlord must provide notice required by Rhode Island statutes to tenant letting them know of the intention to file an eviction if the tenant fails to cure the breach of the lease, or vacate the premises at the end of a tenancy. It is important that the landlord keep a copy of the notice served and have some evidence that it was in fact served. The possible forms are as follows:
2. File a Complaint with Local Court
Once the landlord has waited the requisite waiting period, then he or she can file a complaint with the Local District Court. There are two types of complaints depending on the reason for eviction. For non-payment use a Complaint for Eviction for Non-Payment. For another type of breach, use a Complaint for Eviction for Other than Non-Payment.