Rhode Island Security Deposit Demand Letter
Direct answer
In Rhode Island, the landlord must return the deposit within 20 calendar days. The deadline is measured from this trigger: After the later of termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or tenant providing a forwarding address for receiving the security deposit. The verified state formula is tenant may recover the amount due together with damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19.
Key facts
| Deadline | 20 calendar days |
|---|---|
| Deadline trigger | after the later of termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or tenant providing a forwarding address for receiving the security deposit |
| Penalty formula | tenant may recover the amount due together with damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
| Interest on deposit | No |
| Maximum deposit | Not more than one month's periodic rent. If the unit is furnished and furniture replacement value at lease execution is $5,000 or greater, landlord may also charge a separate furniture security deposit of up to one month's periodic rent (returned under the same 20-day later-of rule). |
| Forwarding address required | Yes |
| Small claims limit | $5,000 (District Court small claims) in District Court (small claims) |
| Statute citation | R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 |
Statute says
Upon termination of the tenancy, the amount of security deposit due to the tenant shall be the entire amount given by the tenant as a security deposit, minus any amount of unpaid accrued rent, the amount due, if any, for reasonable cleaning expenses, the amount due, if any, for reasonable trash disposal expenses and the amount of physical damages to the premises, other than ordinary wear and tear, that the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with § 34-18-24, all as itemized by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant. The landlord shall deliver the notice, together with the amount of the security deposit due to the tenant, within twenty (20) days after the later of either termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or the tenant's providing the landlord with a forwarding address for the purpose of receiving the security deposit.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together before sending a letter. Match the dates in your documents to the trigger listed above, then cite R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 and request the deposit amount supported by your records.
Worked example
Use your actual deposit amount when you write the letter. For context, median rent in Rhode Island is $1,342 according to U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates data as of .
- Providence County: $1,312
- Kent County: $1,327
- Washington County: $1,327
- Newport County: $1,713
Example demand basis: a deposit equal to the state median rent starts at $1,342 before applying the state formula: tenant may recover the amount due together with damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | Rhode Island District Court, Sixth Division, Providence | $5,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the District Court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Kent | Rhode Island District Court, Third Division, Warwick | $5,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the District Court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Washington | Rhode Island District Court, Fourth Division, Wakefield | $5,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the District Court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
| Newport | Rhode Island District Court, Second Division, Newport | $5,000 | Confirm current filing and service fees with the District Court clerk. | Not verified | Court site |
Free Rhode Island template, built from verified state data
I am requesting the return of my security deposit. The verified Rhode Island data for this page lists a 20 calendar days return window and cites R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19.
Before you send
- Collect your lease, deposit receipt, and move-in records.
- Save photos, videos, and messages about move-out condition.
- Write down the move-out date you can prove.
- Confirm the forwarding address you gave the landlord.
- Send by certified mail when appropriate, and keep a copy of the final letter and delivery proof.
When this letter will NOT work
- The dispute is not about return of a security deposit.
- You need urgent court relief instead of a demand letter.
- You cannot identify the landlord or property manager to contact.
- Your documents point to a different state or a different kind of claim.
Typical mistakes
- Sending a letter before organizing the documents that prove the timeline.
- Demanding an amount that does not match the payment records.
- Leaving out the forwarding address or preferred response method.
- Mixing repair complaints into a deposit letter without separating the issues.
FAQ
Does Providence have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Rhode Island law and local rules.
Does Cranston have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Rhode Island law and local rules.
Does Warwick have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Rhode Island law and local rules.
Does Pawtucket have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Rhode Island law and local rules.
Can I use this if I do not know the exact deposit amount?
Use the amount shown in your lease, receipt, or move-in records. If records conflict, keep copies and avoid guessing in the letter.
Should I send evidence with the first letter?
Attach copies when they prove the basic facts, such as payment, move-out condition, forwarding address, or prior messages.
Can this page replace legal advice?
No. This page is self-help information for organizing a demand letter and checking the cited data before you act.
City data on this page currently includes Providence, Cranston, Warwick, Pawtucket, East Providence, Woonsocket, Cumberland, Coventry.
Tenant resources
- Rhode Island Legal Serviceslegal aid in Providence, 401-274-2652
- Rhode Island Center for Justicelegal aid in Providence, 401-491-1101
- Rhode Island Attorney General - Consumer Protectionag consumer in Cranston, 401-274-4400
- Rhode Island Judiciary - District Court Small Claimscourt self help