Lease Agreement Template Rhode Island

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

Document Control:

• Effective Date: [Effective Date]
• Version: 2026.1 (Rhode Island Statutory Compliance)
• Jurisdiction/Scope: State of Rhode Island (Rhode Island General Laws Chapter 34-18: Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)

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OFFICIAL NOTICE & LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This document is a legal template drafted for general informational and structural purposes under Rhode Island law. It does not constitute formal legal advice. Residential leasing is heavily regulated by municipal ordinances and state statutes (RI Gen. Laws § 34-18). Both Landlord and Tenant are advised to retain independent legal counsel to review this instrument prior to execution to ensure alignment with specific property conditions, local ordinances, and evolving statutory requirements.

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1. PARTIES & PREMISES

This Residential Lease Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of [Date], by and between:

• Landlord: [Full Legal Name of Landlord/Entity], with a mailing address of [Landlord Address] ("Landlord"), and
• Tenant(s): [Full Legal Name of Tenant 1] and [Full Legal Name of Tenant 2] ("Tenant").

Demised Premises: Landlord hereby leases to Tenant, and Tenant hires from Landlord, the real property located at [Street Address, Unit Number], Providence / [City/Town], Rhode Island, [Zip Code] (the "Premises"), together with the following personal property, if any: [List any included appliances/furnishings or write "None"].

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2. TERM

The term of this Agreement shall commence on [Start Date] (the "Commencement Date") and shall expire at 11:59 PM on [End Date] (the "Termination Date"), unless sooner terminated in accordance with applicable Rhode Island law or the provisions hereof.

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3. RENT & PAYMENT TERMS

• Base Rent: Tenant shall pay to Landlord monthly rent in the amount of [Monthly Rent Amount in Words] Dollars ($[Numeric Amount]), due and payable in advance on the first (1st) day of each calendar month.
• Delivery of Payment: Rent shall be paid via [Payment Method: e.g., Electronic Transfer / ACH / Check] to [Landlord Payment Address or Account Details].
• Grace Period & Late Fees: Pursuant to RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-15, rent is due on the date specified. If rent is not received by Landlord within fifteen (15 days) of the due date, Tenant shall pay a late charge of [Late Fee Amount, e.g., $50.00 or 5% of monthly rent].
• Returned Check Fee: A fee of [Returned Check Fee Amount, e.g., $30.00] shall be assessed for any bank check or electronic payment rejected for insufficient funds (NSF).

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4. SECURITY DEPOSIT

• Amount: Upon execution of this Agreement, Tenant shall deposit with Landlord the sum of [Security Deposit Amount in Words] Dollars ($[Numeric Amount]), which shall not exceed one (1) month’s periodic rent, in strict compliance with RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-19.
• Holding & Return: The Security Deposit shall be held by Landlord in a designated account. Within twenty (20) days after the termination of this Agreement, delivery of possession, and demand by Tenant, Landlord shall return the security deposit, itemizing any deductions for accrued unpaid rent, physical damage to the Premises beyond ordinary wear and tear, or other statutory defaults.

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5. UTILITIES & SERVICES

Tenant shall be responsible for the direct arrangement and payment of all utility services associated with the Premises, except for those explicitly noted below:

• Tenant Paid: Electricity, Gas, Internet, Cable, [Other Tenant Utilities].
• Landlord Paid: Water, Sewer, Trash Removal, [Other Landlord Utilities].

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6. USE AND OCCUPANCY

The Premises shall be used and occupied exclusively as a private residential dwelling by Tenant and the following authorized minor/adult occupants only: [List Names of Other Occupants or write "None"]. The total number of occupants shall not exceed [Number] persons. Subletting or assignment of this Agreement without Landlord's prior written consent is strictly prohibited.

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7. MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, & LEAD HAZARD DISCLOSURE

• Tenant Obligations: Tenant shall maintain the Premises in a clean, sanitary, and safe condition, shall properly dispose of all rubbish, and shall immediately notify Landlord of any structural defects, water leaks, or mechanical failures.
• Landlord Obligations: Landlord shall maintain the structural integrity of the building, plumbing, heating, and electrical systems in compliance with applicable building and housing codes (RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-22).
• Lead Paint Disclosure: Housing constructed prior to 1978 may contain lead-based paint. By signing this Agreement, Tenant acknowledges receipt of the federal Lead-Based Paint Disclosure and the Rhode Island Real Estate Lead Hazard Disclosure form, attached hereto as Exhibit A.

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8. ACCESS & INSPECTION

Landlord or Landlord’s agents may enter the Premises upon giving at least forty-eight (48) hours' notice to Tenant, and enter only at reasonable times, for the purpose of inspecting the property, making necessary repairs, or showing the Premises to prospective purchasers or tenants. Notice is not required in cases of emergency or if impracticable.

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9. DEFAULT & REMEDIES

• Nonpayment of Rent: If Tenant fails to pay rent within fifteen (15) days of the due date, Landlord may issue a written demand notice pursuant to RI Gen. Laws § 34-18-35.
• Other Breaches: If Tenant materially breaches any other provision of this Agreement, Landlord may deliver a written notice specifying the breach and stating that the Agreement will terminate upon twenty (20) days' receipt of notice if the breach is not remedied within ten (10) days.

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10. GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed, construed, interpreted, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Rhode Island, specifically the Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

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11. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between Landlord and Tenant and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements. No modification of this Agreement shall be valid unless executed in writing by both parties.

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SIGNATURES & ACKNOWLEDGMENT BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Residential Lease Agreement as of the date first written above.

LANDLORD:

Signature: ___________________________________________
Printed Name: [Landlord Printed Name]
Title: [Title, e.g., Property Manager / Owner]
Date: [Date]

TENANT(S):

Signature: ___________________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 1 Printed Name]
Date: [Date]

Signature: ___________________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 2 Printed Name]
Date: [Date]

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STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION GUIDE

1. Review & Customize: Complete all bracketed fields ([...]) with accurate operational and financial data. Ensure the security deposit does not exceed precisely one month's rent as mandated by Rhode Island law.
2. Mandatory Disclosures Attachment: Attach the Rhode Island Lead Hazard Mitigation Act compliance documentation, smoke/carbon monoxide detector certification, and any required municipal addenda prior to signing.
3. Execution: Both Landlord (or authorized agent) and all adult Tenants must sign and date the signature block in the presence of each other or execute via a secure electronic signature platform.
4. Distribution & Recordkeeping: Provide a fully executed copy of the Agreement and all statutory disclosures to the Tenant within 48 hours of signing. Retain original execution files in the property management archive for a minimum of 3 years post-tenancy termination.