Security Deposit Law in Rhode Island (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19): Deadline and Penalty
In Rhode Island, a landlord has 20 calendar days to return a security deposit. 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 penalty 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 |
| 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. Match the date you can prove to the trigger above, then compare the landlord's response to the rule in R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19.
Free Rhode Island template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Rhode Island law (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 20 calendar days after the later of termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or tenant providing a forwarding address for receiving the security deposit.
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.
What is the small claims limit in Rhode Island?
See the applicable court limits and jurisdictions in the state court guide. Rhode Island small claims courts and filing fees
What happens if a landlord misses the Rhode Island deposit deadline?
The verified penalty 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. Keep the move-out date, forwarding address records, and any itemized statement before you act.
Does a demand letter change the legal deadline?
No. The deadline is still 20 calendar days. The deadline trigger is After the later of termination of the tenancy, delivery of possession, or tenant providing a forwarding address for receiving the security deposit. A letter documents the timeline and asks the landlord to resolve the deposit before the next step.
If the deadline passed
Send a letter that documents the demand and keeps your record tied to the verified Rhode Island deadline.
build a Rhode Island demand letter
If the landlord stays silent, review landlord ignoring the deadline before choosing the next step.