Providence, Rhode Island: Small Claims for a Security Deposit

Limits: $5,000 (District Court small claims only). E-filing: Not verified. Court: Rhode Island District Court, Sixth Division.

Filing facts

State small claims limits	$5,000 (District Court small claims only)
Statewide filing fee	Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. Official court website
E-filing	Not verified
Time limit to sue in Rhode Island	10 years.
State deposit return deadline	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.
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.
Deposit statute	R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19

Where to file

Rhode Island District Court, Sixth Division

Courthouse city: Providence

Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

Official court website

Court page check not recorded

See how to file in Rhode Island for the state filing procedure.

Rent and deposits in Providence

County median gross rent: $1,242 per month.

County median gross rent by bedroom count
Bedrooms	Monthly rent
Studio	$938
1 bedroom	$925
2 bedrooms	$1,305
3 bedrooms	$1,511
4 bedrooms	$1,584

Illustrative deposit example computed from the county median rent: one month of the Census two-bedroom median is $1,305; two months is $2,610. This is an example computed from the county median, not a legal cap or a survey of deposits. The calculations below use the one-month deposit of $1,305.

State legal maximum deposit in Rhode Island: Not more than one month's periodic rent ($1,305 at the example 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 ($1,305 at the example rent) (returned under the same 20-day later-of rule).

Total households in Providence: 256,505.

Renter households: 111,266 (43.4% of all households).

Renters spending more than half their household income on rent: 4.9%. A delayed deposit refund can leave these households with less money for their next rent payment.

County rent and household source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070. Accessed 2026-09-21.

Will my deposit claim fit the limit?

Using the county Census figure: two-bedroom median gross rent for Providence, $1,305 per month.

The deposit range does not include penalties, interest, or other amounts you may claim.

Compared with $5,000 (District Court small claims only), the whole deposit range fits.

A claim above the applicable limit must either be reduced to that limit or go to a different court.

Towns this court serves

A deposit claim is usually filed where the property sits or where the landlord is.

Central Falls
Cranston
East Providence
Pawtucket
Providence
Woonsocket

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file.

Statewide help

Rhode Island Legal Services
Free civil legal help for eligible low-income Rhode Island residents, including eviction defense through the Housing Stability Project; Newport office: (401) 846-2264.
Phone: (401) 274-2652

These are independent organisations, not DemandLetterLab.

From letter to filing

Send a Rhode Island security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records. Give the landlord your forwarding address in writing.
Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 20 days after your letter.
Time limit to sue in Rhode Island: 10 years.
Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.

This template uses Rhode Island law. Your county decides where you file, not which law applies.

Choose how to send your letter

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Document preparation and mailing, not legal advice. We do not assess your claim, choose a strategy, or promise a recovery.

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A print-ready PDF of the Rhode Island letter template, ready to download after payment.

Certified-mail instructions: what to ask for at the counter and what it costs.
Rhode Island small-claims details: the limit, the deadline to sue, and where to file.

You fill in the template, print it, and pay postage. The same letter template is also available free by email below. The kit adds the print-ready PDF, mailing guide, and local details in one place.

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Free Rhode Island template, built from verified state data

Methodology: every statute verified against primary sources. See how verification works.

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

How much does it cost to file in Providence?

Statewide filing fee: Set by the court; call the clerk or check the court page. Official court website

How long do I have to sue?

Time limit to sue in Rhode Island: 10 years.

Where do I file?

Rhode Island District Court, Sixth Division. Courthouse city: Providence. Check the court's instructions for the right filing location.