Most Commonly Used Rhode Island Lease Agreements
The most commonly used Rhode Island rental agreements are a standard lease agreement (usually with a lease term for 12 months), a month-to-month lease agreement, a roommate agreement, a lease to own agreement, a sublease agreement, and a commercial lease agreement.
Although the most commonly used Rhode Island lease agreements rely on the same elements, they also have their own features. Here are a couple of examples.
- A roommate agreement is a type of residential lease agreement. In addition to using the same provisions of a residential lease, it also explains which areas of the unit are for the exclusive use of the roommate and which areas may be used by all of the occupants.
- A standard residential lease agreement is usually for a term of one year. When it terminates, it may renew for another year automatically or it may convert to a month-to-month lease. However, both a one year lease and a month-to-month lease have similarities. The most common similarity is the requirement of a written 30-day notice to move out at the end of the lease if either party doesn’t plan to renew the agreement.
How to Write a Rhode Island Lease Agreement
Rhode Island lease agreement must adhere to Rhode Island landlord-tenant laws or they are unenforceable. There are a lot of different laws that you must consider as well. You’ll learn more about many of them under the sections related to disclosures and security deposits.
Before you sign a Rhode Island lease agreement, make sure that you read the terms. You also have the right to have an attorney review a Rhode Island lease agreement before you sign it.
A Rhode Island lease agreement needs:
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Names of the Parties - This is the landlord’s full name or the property management company’s legal business name and the legal name of the tenant(s).
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Property Address - This is the street address for the rental property, including the city, zip code, and, if applicable, the lot or unit number.
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Term Information - This is the type of lease agreement the parties agree to enter into. For example, a month-to-month lease or a fixed term. A fixed-term lease means that the parties agree that the tenant will hold possession of the space for a certain amount of time, usually one year. If it is a fixed lease, this section should include the date that the lease will end.
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Rental Amount - This section includes the date that the lease will begin, the amount of the monthly rent, the day of the month that rent is due, and the address where the rent may be paid.
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Late Fee - This section documents the amount of the fee that is due, if the rent is not paid by a certain date.
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Security Deposit - This is the amount of money that must be paid in advance of the tenant taking control of the property. A security deposit is used to repair damages caused by the tenant.
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Initial Payment - This is the total amount of money that the tenant must pay to move into the rental property or unit. This should include the amount of the first month’s rent, the security deposit, and the total of the two numbers added together.
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Occupants - This section includes the full name of each tenant even if they are a minor or are not signing the lease. This part of Rhode Island residential lease agreement establishes who will reside in the residential unit. For commercial space leases, it designates those who have permission to use the space. If the presence of additional occupants changes the price of the rent, it should be included in this section.
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Utilities - This section explains which utilities or services a tenant does not pay.
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Parking - This section informs the tenant if they will receive a parking space. If a parking space is reserved and there is a designated spot, the spot should be listed in this section.
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Furnishings - This section tells the tenants what they are allowed to install (such as a washing machine or dishwasher) or what they may not install. If the tenant is not allowed to bring their own appliances, that should be designated in this section.
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Notices - This section documents the names of the landlord or property manager and tenant along with their own appliance, that should be designated in this section.
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Eviction - This informs tenants how eviction would be carried out in the event of nonpayment or breach of other lease terms.
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Additional Terms This section lists any other terms that the parties agreed to that haven’t been included in any other section of the lease agreement.
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Signature and Date - The document should be signed and dated by all parties.
Which Disclosures Belong in a Rhode Island Lease Agreement?
Under Rhode Island landlord-tenant law, landlords must disclose code violations (such as building code violations) to the tenant. The landlord must disclose the identity of any person allowed to act as a manager or agent on their behalf. The landlord must give the tenant at least two days of notice before entering the property for standard maintenance or inspection. The landlord can only enter the property during reasonable hours.
If the residential unit was built before 1978, the landlord must disclose the potential exposure to lead paint.
What You Need to Know About Rhode Island Lease Agreement Deposits
The landlord may request up to one month's rent as a security deposit. It must be returned within 20 days of the end of the lease minus any unpaid rent or repairs made to the rental property.
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