Eviction Process in Rhode Island: A 2026 Landlord's Guide
5-day notice for nonpayment. 20-day for violations. District court hearing 5-20 days.
Required notice types in Rhode Island
| Type | Notice Period | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Nonpayment | 5 days | Tenant failed to pay rent. Tenant may cure by paying the full amount owed before the deadline in most states. |
| Lease violation (curable) | 20 days | Tenant is violating lease terms (unauthorized pets, unauthorized occupants, noise, etc.) and has the option to correct the violation. |
The eviction process, step by step
Step 1 — Serve a 5-day Notice to Pay or Quit. Rhode Island law requires you to give the tenant written notice and 5 days to either pay what's owed or vacate. Serve in the manner permitted by R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35.
Step 2 — File a Complaint for Eviction complaint. If the tenant doesn't pay or move out by the deadline, file in the appropriate court (typically justice, district, or small claims depending on county).
Step 3 — Court hearing. The court sets a hearing, typically within 3-8 weeks. Bring the lease, payment ledger, copy of the notice, and proof of service.
Step 4 — Judgment and writ of possession. If you win, the court issues a judgment. After the tenant's appeal window closes, the sheriff or constable executes the writ and restores possession.
How long does an eviction take in Rhode Island?
Uncontested cases in Rhode Island typically move through the courts in about 50 days from notice to sheriff's lockout. Contested cases, tenant bankruptcy filings, and local court backlogs can extend this significantly. The minimum realistic timeline (everything uncontested, no appeals) is roughly 25 days.
Need to send a Notice to Pay or Quit right now?
LandlordPro drafts a Rhode Island notice in about 2 minutes using the notice period and service language on file for Rhode Island, with a digital audit trail. Check the current statute or a local attorney before you serve it.
Start free — no credit cardKey statute for Rhode Island
Notice for unpaid rent
Authority: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35(a)
notifying the tenant that unless he or she cures the breach within five (5) days of the date of mailing of the notice, the rental agreement shall terminate.
What this means: Rhode Island requires a 5-day notice before you can file for eviction over unpaid rent.
Read from the statute text (verified 2026-09-22)
Notice for other lease violations
Authority: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36(a)
unless the breach is remedied within twenty (20) days of mailing of the notice the rental agreement shall terminate upon a specified date, which shall not be less than twenty-one (21) days after the mailing of the notice.
What this means: Rhode Island requires a 20-day notice before you can file for eviction over a lease violation other than unpaid rent.
Read from the statute text (verified 2026-09-22)
Ending a month-to-month tenancy
Authority: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37(b)
The landlord or the tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy or any periodic tenancy for more than a month or less than a year by a written notice ... delivered to the other at least thirty (30) days before the date specified in the notice.
What this means: Rhode Island requires 30 days' notice to end a month-to-month tenancy.
Read from the statute text (verified 2026-09-22)
Abandoned property
If a tenant leaves personal property behind after vacating, Rhode Island allows landlords to handle abandoned property after 10 days of apparent abandonment. Procedures vary — many states require written notice and a public or private sale with proceeds held for a statutory period.
Frequently asked questions
How many days' notice do I need to give before evicting for nonpayment in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island law requires a 5-day notice for nonpayment of rent. The tenant typically has those 5 days to either pay the full amount owed or vacate before you can file in court. See R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35.
How long does an eviction take in Rhode Island?
An uncontested eviction in Rhode Island typically takes about 50 days from notice to sheriff's lockout. Contested cases, tenant bankruptcy, or court backlogs can add weeks or months.
Can I evict a tenant at the end of their lease in Rhode Island without cause?
Rhode Island generally allows landlords to end a tenancy at the close of a fixed-term lease or with proper notice to a month-to-month tenant, without needing to show fault. Local ordinances may add requirements — confirm with an attorney if you're in a large city.
Can I change the locks or shut off utilities to force a Rhode Island tenant out?
No. Self-help evictions — changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities — are illegal in Rhode Island and every other US state. Only a court order and a sheriff or constable can legally remove a tenant. Self-help exposes you to damages and statutory penalties.
What happens if my Rhode Island tenant files for bankruptcy during eviction?
A bankruptcy filing triggers an automatic stay that halts the eviction, even if you have a judgment. You'll generally need to file a motion for relief from the automatic stay in bankruptcy court before resuming. Bankruptcies add weeks or months — factor this into your risk assessment.
Handling evictions in Rhode Island with LandlordPro
LandlordPro is built to keep you on the right side of Rhode Island's procedural rules. The notice wizard asks a few questions, drafts a notice using the number of days and language on file for this state; verify it against the current statute before serving, and logs proof of service. If the case proceeds to court, LandlordPro's eviction timeline tracks every deadline and its tenant records bundle feature assembles an attorney-review-ready PDF with a plain-English AI records summary of the case — a tool no other landlord software offers.
Create your first Rhode Island notice →
Raising the rent: Rhode Island requires 60 days' notice before a rent increase. Rhode Island rent increase laws →
Late rent: Rhode Island sets no cap on late fees. Rhode Island late fee laws →
Related: Rhode Island security deposit law — limits & return deadlines · What an eviction costs in every state
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Choosing landlord software
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