Rhode Island Security Deposit Demand Letter
In Rhode Island, a landlord has 20 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
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Rhode Island deposit rules at a glance
- Return deadline
- 20 days after move-out
- Deposit cap
- 1 month's rent
As of 2026. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19 ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Rhode Island landlord have to return the deposit?
20 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.
Is there a limit on how much deposit a Rhode Island landlord can charge?
Yes: 1 month's rent (as of 2026; source: R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19). If you paid more than the cap, say so in the letter; the excess is usually recoverable too.
How much can I sue for in Rhode Island if the landlord ignores this?
Recently raised from the $2,500 cap that had stood since 1980; statewide with no county variation. Money judgments only — the court cannot order anything other than payment. Claims must arise from contract, retail sale, or services rendered (plus consumer claims). The court is the District Court (Small Claims and Consumer Claims), and the filing fee is $55 filing fee per the District Court's official Civil Fees and Costs schedule; e-filing adds a one-time $17.50 processing fee + $3.25 technology surcharge. Some 2026 secondary sources report an increase to $75, not yet reflected on the official schedule.. As of 2026; source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 10-16-1 (ch. 10-16, Small Claims and Consumer Claims).
Do I need a lawyer in Rhode Island small claims?
Attorneys are Yes — attorneys are permitted but not required; most parties self-represent. Cases filed by self-represented plaintiffs are automatically referred to mediation once an answer is filed.. Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 10-16-1 (ch. 10-16, Small Claims and Consumer Claims) (as of 2026).
Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.
How Rhode Island compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19 ↗.
- Deposit return deadline
Deposit return deadline: 20 days — below the national median of 30 days across the 51 states with a statutory rule.
Ranked #43 of 51 states (tied with 1) — higher means more time for the landlord to return the deposit.
1 other state uses the same figure.
Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Connecticut (30 days), Massachusetts (30 days). Rhode Island's 20 days is the shortest among its neighbors.
The rest of what Rhode Island requires
The figures below are Rhode Island's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full Rhode Island page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 1 month's rent R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 20 days after move-out R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days R.I. Gen. Laws §34-18-19 ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 5 days to pay or quit R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35; § 34-18-36; § 34-18-37 ↗
- Notice to cure a lease violation · as of 2026
- 20 days R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35; § 34-18-36; § 34-18-37 ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $5,000 R.I. Gen. Laws § 10-16-1 (ch. 10-16, Small Claims and Consumer Claims) ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- District Court (Small Claims and Consumer Claims) · filing fee $55 filing fee per the District Court's official Civil Fees and Costs schedule; e-filing adds a one-time $17.50 processing fee + $3.25 technology surcharge. Some 2026 secondary sources report an increase to $75, not yet reflected on the official schedule. R.I. Gen. Laws § 10-16-1 (ch. 10-16, Small Claims and Consumer Claims) ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- Application fees are prohibited Rhode Island General Laws ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required Rhode Island DMV / DMV.ORG ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization required R.I. Gen. Laws §18-16-2 ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules R.I. Gen. Laws § 7-16-2(23) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- Town Clerk (recorder of deeds) — Rhode Island records land evidence by TOWN/CITY, not county (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-11-1, 34-13-1) · no witnesses R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-11-1 ↗
Security deposit demand letter in other states
More Rhode Island legal forms
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