Rhode Island Rental Health Code Requirements: Your Guide

If you rent in Rhode Island, it's important to know your rights and your landlord’s responsibilities regarding the health and safety of your home. Minimum housing health codes are legal standards that every rental property must meet to ensure a safe, clean, and livable environment. This guide explains what these standards mean for you as a Rhode Island renter, including how to take action if you have concerns about your rental.

What Are Minimum Housing Health Codes in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island has clear rules that landlords must follow to protect the health and wellbeing of renters. These requirements come from the Rhode Island Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code and the Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.^1,2 Here’s what these laws mean for your rental:

• Structural Integrity: The building must be safe and free from major leaks or unsafe walls, roofs, and stairs.
• Utilities: Heat, hot water, running water, and electricity must work reliably. From October 1 to May 1, landlords must keep homes heated to at least 68°F from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and 65°F at night.
• Pest Control: Units must be free of bugs and rodents. If there’s a pest problem in two or more units, it’s typically the landlord’s job to fix it.
• Sanitary Facilities: Kitchens and bathrooms must function safely and have hot/cold water, proper plumbing, and ventilation.
• Ventilation and Lighting: Your rental should have working windows, screens, and enough natural or artificial light.
• Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms: Working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are required in all units.

Summary: Rhode Island’s housing codes require landlords to keep rentals safe, functional, and comfortable for all tenants.

Your Rights if Your Rental Is Below Minimum Standards

If your apartment does not meet these standards—for example, if there’s no heat in winter or persistent plumbing issues—you have the right to ask your landlord for repairs. If your landlord doesn’t act, you may file a complaint with your local city or town’s code enforcement office or housing inspector.

How to File a Complaint: Forms and Procedures

When your landlord doesn't address major health or safety issues, you may need to involve your local authorities. The main steps are:

• Document the problem with photos, dates, and communication attempts.
• Ask your landlord in writing to fix the issue.
• If nothing changes, contact your city or town’s Minimum Housing Inspector. Each municipality has their own office. For Providence, use the Providence Minimum Housing online complaint form.

There is no statewide standardized complaint form in Rhode Island. Instead, renters must use their local city or town’s Minimum Housing Complaint Form (sometimes called a "Housing Maintenance Code Complaint").

• Form Name: Minimum Housing Complaint Form (example: Providence)
• When to use: If you have unsafe living conditions (e.g., no heat, plumbing leaks, pest infestation) and your landlord is not responding, submit this form to your city’s code enforcement office.
• Where to find: Providence Minimum Housing Complaint Form (check your city or town’s website for their version).

Once submitted, an inspector will visit and provide the landlord with a notice to fix the violations within a certain time. If ignored, fines or legal action may follow.

Landlord’s Responsibilities Under Rhode Island Law

• Keep all structural elements, utilities, and appliances in safe condition
• Address pest infestations, unless they are caused by tenant neglect
• Follow city and state occupancy rules for health and space requirements

For more details, see the landlord’s maintenance duties in the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

What If Repairs Are Not Made?

If your landlord does not fix the problem after being notified by code enforcement, further action may be possible:

• Request a re-inspection
• If violations persist, the city or town may fine the landlord, make repairs and bill the landlord, or take the matter to court
• In some urgent situations, tenants may request to pay for repairs themselves and deduct the cost from rent, but this process is legally specific—review tenant remedies for repairs and consult local officials before proceeding

The Rhode Island District Court Housing Calendar is the tribunal that handles disputes between landlords and tenants about housing codes, evictions, and repairs.

FAQ: Rhode Island Rental Health & Safety Standards

1. What should I do if my landlord won’t fix health code violations?
   Start by documenting the problem and sending a written request to your landlord. If there is no response, file a complaint with your local code enforcement office and use the city or town’s Minimum Housing Complaint Form.
2. Do Rhode Island landlords have to provide heat in winter?
   Yes. Between October 1 and May 1, landlords must keep your rental heated to at least 68°F during the day and 65°F at night.
3. Can I withhold rent if my landlord won’t make repairs?
   Do not withhold rent unless you’ve gotten legal advice or a court order. Withholding rent without following proper steps could lead to eviction.
4. Where can I find the laws about rental health and safety?
   You can read the Rhode Island Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code and Residential Landlord and Tenant Act online.
5. Who can I contact for urgent housing safety issues?
   Contact your local minimum housing inspector or code enforcement office. For emergencies (like unsafe gas or electrical problems), call 911 or your city’s emergency services.

Key Takeaways for Rhode Island Renters

• Rhode Island requires landlords to meet strict health and safety codes for all rentals.
• Renters have the right to report unsafe conditions using city-specific Minimum Housing Complaint Forms.
• Contact code enforcement for unresolved health hazards and keep records of all communication.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Providence Minimum Housing Office: File complaints and get inspection help (check your local city or town website for similar offices).
• Rhode Island District Court Housing Calendar: Handles landlord-tenant disputes and code violation hearings.
• RIHousing – Renters Rights & Resources: Housing advice, financial assistance, and advocacy links.
• Rhode Island Tenant FAQs: Official state information on health, safety, and maintenance issues.
• Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act

---

1. Rhode Island Housing Maintenance and Occupancy Code, Title 45, Chapter 45-24.3
2. Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Title 34, Chapter 34-18
3. Rhode Island District Court Housing Calendar (Official Housing Tribunal)

Categories

Renter Rights & Legal Protections Lease Agreements & Renewals Rent, Fees & Security Deposits Moving In: Inspections & Disclosures Moving Out & Ending a Lease Maintenance, Repairs & Habitability Health & Safety Standards Evictions & Lease Violations Roommates, Subletting & Shared Housing Discrimination & Fair Housing Laws Accessibility & Disability Accommodations Utilities, Services & Billing Affordable Housing & Rental Assistance Rent Control & Rent Stabilization Privacy Rights & Landlord Entry Security, Locks & Emergency Protections Dispute Resolution & Legal Aid Retaliation & Harassment Protections Mobile Home & Manufactured Housing Rights Special Housing Types & Situations