Rhode Island Security Deposit Law

By Oleg Kachko · Updated June 10, 2026

✓ Law Verified June 2026

This guide explains rhode island security deposit law in plain English — how much your landlord can charge, when they must return it, what they can and cannot deduct, and what to do if they do not give it back. All figures are from Rhode Island law, verified as of June 2026.

In This Rhode Island Guide:

Key Rules
Allowable Deductions
How to Get It Back
Official Sources

Rhode Island Security Deposit Rules at a Glance

Maximum deposit	1 month’s rent. If the rental unit is furnished and the furniture replacement value is at least 5000, the landlord may also charge a separate furniture security deposit of up to 1 additional month’s rent. There is no statutory cap on pet deposits (except landlords cannot charge pet deposits for service animals).
Return deadline	20. The landlord must return the deposit within 20 days after the later of: termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenant providing the landlord with a forwarding address.
Itemized deductions required	YES. The landlord must deliver a written, itemized notice listing all deductions along with the remaining deposit balance within the 20-day deadline. Deductions without proper itemization may be considered wrongful withholding.
Interest on deposit required	NO. Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18-19 does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. A bill (SB2824, 2024 session) was introduced to add an interest requirement, but as of the current statute text it has not been enacted into law. Tenants should check for any legislative updates.
Penalty for late/bad-faith return	If a Rhode Island court determines the landlord wrongfully withheld any portion of the security deposit, the landlord may be liable for double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs. This applies whether the landlord fails to return the deposit within 20 days or improperly withholds deductions.

Move-in/move-out walkthrough: NO. Rhode Island law does not require landlords to conduct move-in or move-out walkthrough inspections. However, tenants are strongly encouraged to document the unit’s condition at both move-in and move-out with photographs, video, and a signed checklist to protect against wrongful deductions.

Separate deposit account: NO. Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18-19 does not require landlords to hold security deposits in a separate or escrow account. There is no statutory requirement for the deposit to be held in an interest-bearing account.

What Your Landlord Can and Cannot Deduct in Rhode Island

Unpaid accrued rent; reasonable cleaning expenses; reasonable trash disposal expenses; physical damage to the premises beyond ordinary wear and tear. All deductions must be itemized in writing. Landlords may not deduct for ordinary wear and tear.

Normal wear and tear vs damage: Rhode Island defines ordinary wear and tear as deterioration of the premises resulting from the tenant’s normal, non-abusive living, including deterioration caused by the landlord’s failure to prepare for expected conditions or failure to comply with landlord obligations.

Examples of normal wear and tear include faded paint, worn carpet paths, minor nail holes from hanging pictures, loose door handles, lightly scratched glass, lightly dirtied grout, and dirty bathroom fixtures.

Damage that may be deducted includes broken tiles, holes in walls, burned or heavily stained carpet, missing fixtures, and broken windows.

How to Get Your Deposit Back in Rhode Island

A Rhode Island tenant who believes their security deposit was wrongfully withheld should first send the landlord a written demand letter requesting the return of the deposit, documenting the amount owed and the basis for the claim. If the landlord does not comply, the tenant may file a claim in Rhode Island District Court Small Claims division.

The small claims limit is 2500 (with a counterclaim ceiling of 5000 as of January 2026). The filing fee is approximately 75. The tenant may recover double the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs under § 34-18-19. Tenants may also contact Rhode Island Legal Services (RILS) at www.rils.org or HelpRILaw.org for free legal assistance.

Other Rhode Island deposit rules: Rhode Island allows a separate furniture security deposit (up to 1 month’s rent) if the furnished unit’s furniture replacement value is at least 5000. There is no statutory cap on pet deposits, except landlords cannot charge a pet deposit for service or assistance animals.

The 20-day return clock does not begin until the tenant provides a forwarding address — tenants should always provide a written forwarding address promptly upon move-out to start the clock.

Rhode Island’s definition of ordinary wear and tear explicitly includes deterioration caused by the landlord’s own failure to maintain the property or prepare for expected conditions, which may be a useful defense if a landlord tries to deduct for pre-existing issues.

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Official Rhode Island Sources & Resources

Rhode Island Attorney General: https://riag.ri.gov/ (The Rhode Island Attorney General’s office does not maintain a dedicated security deposit rights page; the most comprehensive state-published tenant resource is the RI Landlord-Tenant Handbook at https://www.courts.ri.gov/Courts/districtcourt/Documents/Handbook.pdf and https://housing.ri.gov/resources/landlords-and-renters)
Rhode Island Security Deposit Statute: https://law.justia.com/codes/rhode-island/title-34/chapter-34-18/section-34-18-19/
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: hud.gov
Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex

Understanding Rhode Island Security Deposit Law

Your Rhode Island security deposit is your money until the landlord proves a lawful deduction. Rhode Island security deposit law sets clear limits on how much can be charged, what can be deducted, and when the balance must be returned. If your landlord misses the Rhode Island security deposit return deadline or takes deductions that are not allowed, you may be entitled to penalties.

Document the condition of your unit at move-in and move-out — photos are the best protection for your Rhode Island security deposit.

This Rhode Island security deposit guide was last verified against official sources in June 2026. Laws change — verify with your state or a local legal-aid office.

More Rhode Island Tenant Rights Guides

Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws change and vary by city and county within a state. Verify current rules with your state, your local court, or a free legal-aid office before acting. If you are facing eviction, contact a local tenant attorney or legal-aid organization right away.

Renting? Protect your belongings — compare renters insurance at Home Insure Guide. Divorce involving a lease? See Divorce Help Guide. Unsafe housing / toxic mold injury? Some cases qualify — see Mass Tort Info.

Rhode Island Security Deposit Law — Limits & Deadlines (2026)