Rhode Island is one of the more tenant-protective states, and its rules come from the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18). The standout: since 2021 the Fair Housing Practices Act protects “lawful source of income,” which expressly includes Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, so most landlords cannot refuse your voucher. Deposits are capped at one month’s rent and must come back within 20 days, and RIHousing runs a large statewide voucher program plus a single centralized waiting list shared by about 18 local authorities. This page covers where to apply, the tenant-law framework, and where to get help.
- 211 (United Way of RI) — dial 2-1-1, 24/7, for rent, utility, and shelter help
- RIHousing (statewide vouchers & centralized waitlist): (401) 457-1234 · rihousing.com
- Rhode Island Legal Services: (401) 274-2652 · rils.org
- RI Commission for Human Rights (fair housing / source of income): (401) 222-2661
- LIHEAP (Dept. of Human Services): apply through your local Community Action Program agency
- HUD fair housing: 1-800-669-9777
Major Rhode Island public housing authorities
Rhode Island makes applying unusually simple: RIHousing runs a statewide Housing Choice Voucher program (HUD code RI901) and operates a single Centralized Waiting List used by roughly 18 local authorities, so one application at waitlistcentralri.com reaches many of them. The largest local authorities are:
- Housing Authority of Providence — PHA RI001, (401) 751-6400; the state’s largest, reachable through the Centralized Waiting List
- Pawtucket Housing Authority — PHA RI002, (401) 721-6000; its voucher list has stayed open through the Centralized Waiting List
- Woonsocket Housing Authority — PHA RI003, (401) 767-8000
- Cranston Housing Authority — PHA RI006, (401) 944-7210; waitlists have generally been closed, so verify
Start with RIHousing’s voucher pages, use HUD’s PHA directory, and read how to find your PHA. For tax-credit apartments, search HUD’s LIHTC database.
Source of income: your voucher is protected
Since April 2021, Rhode Island’s Fair Housing Practices Act (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-37) bars discrimination based on lawful source of income, and the law expressly defines that to include Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and other rental assistance. In practice, a landlord generally cannot advertise “no Section 8” or turn you away for paying with a voucher. The main exception is an owner-occupied building of three units or fewer. Complaints go to the RI Commission for Human Rights (401-222-2661). See our source-of-income protections guide.
Emergency rent & utility help in Rhode Island
- LIHEAP — the RI Department of Human Services funds heating and energy help through local Community Action Program (CAP) agencies; see utility assistance programs
- RIHousing maintains a renter-resource guide; the pandemic-era RentReliefRI program has ended, so check what is currently open
- Dial 211 (United Way of Rhode Island) for the current list of rent and deposit funds, plus emergency rental assistance
Rhode Island tenant law: key protections at a glance
Quick reference: Rhode Island
- Voucher administrator: RIHousing statewide plus local authorities on one Centralized Waiting List
- Source-of-income protection: yes — vouchers protected (ch. 34-37), except owner-occupied buildings of 3 units or fewer
- Rent control: none statewide (Block Island caps some increases)
- Nonpayment: rent must be 15 days late, then a 5-day demand to pay (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35)
- Lease-violation notice: 20 days to cure (§ 34-18-36)
- Month-to-month termination: 30 days (§ 34-18-37)
- Security deposit: capped at one month’s rent; returned within 20 days or the landlord owes double (§ 34-18-19)
- Self-help eviction: illegal — a tenant can recover up to 3 months’ rent or triple damages (§ 34-18-34)
Security deposits
Rhode Island caps the deposit at one month’s rent (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19). The landlord must return it with a written itemized statement within 20 days of the later of the tenancy ending, your giving up possession, or your providing a forwarding address; wrongful withholding makes the landlord liable for double the amount plus costs. Read how to recover your security deposit.
Eviction process & how long it takes
For nonpayment, the landlord cannot act immediately: rent must be at least 15 days late, then you get a 5-day demand to pay, and suit cannot be filed until the sixth day after mailing (§ 34-18-35) — paying within those 5 days stops it. Lease violations get a 20-day notice to cure. Cases run in District or Housing Court and commonly take about four to eight weeks. Rhode Island has also banned rental application fees (2024) and allows sealing of eviction records. Get help from Rhode Island Legal Services (401-274-2652) and read how to avoid eviction.
Nearby states
Comparing New England states or planning a move? Rules on deposits, notice, and vouchers differ:
- New Hampshire tenant rights — no source-of-income protection (landlords may refuse vouchers)
- Maine tenant rights — voucher protection and Portland rent control
- Vermont tenant rights — voucher protection and long no-cause notice
- Connecticut tenant rights
- Massachusetts tenant rights
Where to get help in Rhode Island
Tenant help & legal aid: Rhode Island Legal Services (401-274-2652) handles eviction defense and landlord-tenant cases; self-help is at helprilaw.org.
Discrimination & source-of-income complaints: the RI Commission for Human Rights (401-222-2661) enforces the Fair Housing Practices Act, including voucher protection.
Vouchers: apply through RIHousing (401-457-1234) and the Centralized Waiting List.
211 helpline: dial 2-1-1 for rent, utility, and shelter help statewide.
Next Steps
Not sure where to start? Our Where to Start tool maps Rhode Island programs to your situation in about two minutes.
If a landlord refused your voucher, that may be illegal source-of-income discrimination — contact the RI Commission for Human Rights (401-222-2661) or Rhode Island Legal Services, and read eviction prevention.