Rhode Island Security Deposit Law (Statute Explained)
Source-based guide to Rhode Island security deposit law, including the cited statute, handbook, deadline trigger, forwarding-address step, deductions, remedies, furniture-deposit exception, and court-path limits.
## Rhode Island Security Deposit Law (Statutes & Source Material)
This is the denser version.
If you want the legal source material behind Rhode Island security deposit rules, and not just the plain-English summary, start here.
If you want the simpler version first:
[Plain-English Law Overview](/rhode-island/security-deposit-law/)
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## The Main Rhode Island Sources
The Rhode Island sources used for this package are:
- [R.I. Gen. Laws section 34-18-19](https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-18/34-18-19.htm)
- [Rhode Island Landlord Tenant Handbook](https://housing.ri.gov/media/2591/download)
- [Rhode Island Judiciary - District Court](https://www.courts.ri.gov/Courts/districtcourt/Pages/default.aspx)
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## Which statute section applies?
This package is built around:
- Rhode Island General Laws section 34-18-19
For most residential renters, this is the section to understand first.
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## The rules that matter most
Most disputes still come down to a few core rules:
- the ordinary residential deposit cap is no more than one month's periodic rent
- the written notice and amount due are generally due within 20 days after the later of termination, delivery of possession, or the tenant providing a forwarding address
- deductions are limited to unpaid accrued rent, reasonable cleaning expenses, reasonable trash disposal expenses, and physical damage beyond ordinary wear and tear
- ordinary wear and tear is not deductible
- Rhode Island can allow damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld and reasonable attorney fees when the landlord fails to comply with the return rule
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## 1. The deposit cap
Rhode Island's ordinary residential deposit cap is one month's periodic rent.
There is also a furnished-apartment furniture-deposit exception in some situations. The source rule applies when the furniture replacement value at lease execution is $5,000 or more, and it should not be treated as a general furnished-rental rule.
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## 2. The 20-day later-of-three-events rule
Rhode Island generally requires the notice and the amount due within 20 days after the later of:
- termination of the tenancy
- delivery of possession
- the tenant providing the landlord with a forwarding address
[Read the deadline rule in plain English](/rhode-island/security-deposit-deadline/)
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## 3. Written itemization
If money is withheld, Rhode Island expects the tenant to receive a written explanation together with the amount due.
That written accounting is one of the first things to look for when a deposit is missing, reduced, or delayed.
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## 4. Deductions and ordinary wear and tear
Rhode Island states the deduction categories directly:
- unpaid accrued rent
- reasonable cleaning expenses
- reasonable trash disposal expenses
- physical damage beyond ordinary wear and tear
Ordinary wear and tear is not deductible.
[See what a landlord can deduct](/rhode-island/what-can-landlord-deduct/)
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## 5. Forwarding address is part of the statute's timing logic
In Rhode Island, a forwarding address is not just practical. It is part of the deadline structure itself.
For renters, that means proof of the forwarding address can matter just as much as proof of move-out and possession delivery.
The handbook says the address does not have to be the tenant's actual new home address. It needs to be an address where the landlord can send the security deposit and notice.
[Move-out checklist](/rhode-island/move-out-checklist/)
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## 6. Remedies if the landlord does not comply
The statute says a tenant may recover the amount due, damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorney fees if the landlord fails to comply with subsection (b).
That makes these practical facts especially important:
- the missed 20-day deadline
- the later-of-three-events trigger
- the presence or absence of written itemization
- whether deductions fit the statutory categories
- whether the charges are really ordinary wear and tear
- the actual amount still owed
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## 7. Court path should stay restrained
The Rhode Island handbook points renters with unresolved deposit claims toward a District Court complaint.
Use District Court as the public starting point unless a more specific court procedure source is separately verified. Current forms, fees, service, venue, and local filing details should be confirmed with official court resources or the clerk before filing.
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## If the landlord did not follow the law
If the deadline was missed, the itemization is missing, or the deductions are weak, your next step is usually not more reading.
It is using the facts you already have clearly.
Start here:
- [Deposit Not Returned](/rhode-island/deposit-not-returned/)
- [Demand Letter](/rhode-island/demand-letter/)
- [Evidence](/rhode-island/evidence/)
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## Related Pages
- [Plain-English Law Overview](/rhode-island/security-deposit-law/)
- [Rhode Island Security Deposit Deadline](/rhode-island/security-deposit-deadline/)
- [What Can a Landlord Deduct in RI?](/rhode-island/what-can-landlord-deduct/)
- [Normal Wear and Tear in RI](/rhode-island/normal-wear-and-tear/)
- [Demand Letter](/rhode-island/demand-letter/)
- [Small Claims Guide](/rhode-island/small-claims/)
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## Important
This page provides general educational information and is not legal advice. For the official text, use the Rhode Island statute and handbook links above.
