Rhode Island Notice to Vacate

A legally compliant notice to vacate under Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-1 et seq.). Rhode Island requires minimum five (5) days' written notice for nonpayment of rent under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35 and thirty (30) days for terminating a month-to-month tenancy without cause under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37. Every notice must be in writing and state the specific grounds for termination., -

Rhode Island Notice Requirements

Rhode Island law distinguishes between notices based on the reason for termination. Using the incorrect notice type or period may invalidate the notice and delay eviction proceedings. Self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing property, or threats) are prohibited under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36 and § 34-18-44 and may expose the landlord to damages and penalties.

Key Statutory Periods:

• Nonpayment of rent: 5-day notice to pay or quit (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35). Rent must be at least fifteen (15) days past due before the notice can be served. The notice must state the exact amount due.

• Termination of month-to-month (periodic) tenancy without cause: 30-day notice (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37). Notice must end on the last day of a rental period.

• Material noncompliance with lease (other than rent): 20-day notice to cure or quit (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36).

• Unconditional quit after repeated violations or certain serious breaches: shorter periods apply per statute.

Service of Notice:

Notice must be delivered by one of the following methods:

1. Personal delivery to the tenant or an adult at the premises.

2. Certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the tenant at the premises or last known address.

Posting alone or regular mail is generally insufficient. The date of receipt (or three days after certified mailing if receipt is not returned) starts the notice clock. Keep proof of service.

Deadline Computation:

Rhode Island uses calendar days. The day the notice is received is not counted. The tenant has until the end of the final day of the notice period to cure or vacate. If the final day falls on a weekend or holiday, consult court rules or an attorney for extension guidance.

Notice Type Selection Table

> Important: Always select the correct option. A landlord who serves the wrong notice may have to start over. For properties subject to local ordinances or federal programs (e.g., Section 8), additional rules may apply., -

NOTICE TO VACATE ### (Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-1 et seq.)

Date of Notice: [[Date of Notice]]

FROM (Landlord or Authorized Agent):
[[Landlord or Agent Full Name]]
[[Landlord Mailing Address]]
[[City]], Rhode Island [[ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Landlord Phone Number]]
Email: [[Landlord Email]]

TO (Tenant(s) and All Occupants):
[[Tenant Full Name(s)]]
AND ALL OTHER OCCUPANTS

Premises Address:
[[Rental Property Full Street Address]]
[[City]], Rhode Island [[ZIP Code]]

Tenancy Details:
Approximate start date of tenancy: [[Tenancy Start Date]]
Type of tenancy: [[Month-to-Month / Week-to-Week / Fixed Term ending [[Lease End Date]]]], -

*(Complete ONLY the applicable section below. Delete or strike through all other options.)*, -

OPTION 1, 5-DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35, Nonpayment of Rent)

5-DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you are in default for nonpayment of rent. As of the date of this notice, the total amount due and owing is $[[Total Amount Owed]], itemized as follows:

• Rent for period [[Rent Period Start]] to [[Rent Period End]]: $[[Rent Amount]]
• Other charges (if any, specify): $[[Other Charges Description and Amount]]

You have five (5) days from receipt of this notice to pay the full amount due or vacate and surrender the Premises.

Payment must be made in full to:
[[Payment Instructions, Name, Address or Method]]

If you fail to pay or vacate within the five-day period, the landlord will commence summary process (eviction) proceedings in the Rhode Island District Court to recover possession and any amounts owed, plus costs and reasonable attorney's fees as permitted by law.

This notice is given pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35. No other grounds are asserted in this notice., -

OPTION 2, 30-DAY NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF MONTH-TO-MONTH TENANCY (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37, No Cause Termination)

30-DAY NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF TENANCY

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37, your month-to-month tenancy of the Premises is hereby terminated effective at the end of the rental period occurring at least thirty (30) days after receipt of this notice.

Tenancy Termination / Vacate Date: [[Termination Date, last day of a rental period at least 30 days after receipt]]

You and all occupants must vacate the Premises and remove all personal property no later than 11:59 p.m. on the Termination Date. The Premises must be left in broom-clean condition, with all keys, access devices, and garage door openers returned to the landlord or agent at:

[[Return Location or Address for Keys]]

All rent and charges through the Termination Date remain due and payable. If you remain after the Termination Date without the landlord's written consent, you will be a holdover tenant and the landlord may pursue eviction and damages under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-38.

This notice terminates the tenancy without stating cause, as permitted for periodic tenancies under Rhode Island law. Retaliatory or discriminatory terminations are prohibited., -

OPTION 3, 20-DAY NOTICE TO CURE OR QUIT (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36, Material Noncompliance Other Than Rent)

20-DAY NOTICE TO CURE OR QUIT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you have materially breached the rental agreement or violated Rhode Island law in the following specific respect(s):

[[Specific Description of Lease Violation or Noncompliance, be precise and factual]]

To cure this breach you must, within twenty (20) days after receipt of this notice:

1. [[Specific Cure Action 1, e.g., remove unauthorized pet, repair damage caused by you, cease prohibited conduct]].

2. [[Specific Cure Action 2 if applicable]].

If the breach is not cured within the twenty-day period, the tenancy will terminate and you must vacate the Premises.

If the same or a substantially similar violation occurs within six (6) months, the landlord may serve a shorter unconditional notice., -

After the Notice Period Expires

If the tenant fails to cure (where cure is allowed) or fails to vacate by the deadline:

• The landlord may file a complaint for summary process in the appropriate Rhode Island District Court (Landlord-Tenant Division) in the district where the property is located.

• The court will schedule a hearing. The tenant has the right to appear, present defenses, and request a continuance in certain circumstances.

• A judgment for possession does not authorize self-help removal of the tenant or property. Only a sheriff or constable executing a court order may remove the tenant.

Tenant Protections and Prohibited Conduct

Retaliation Prohibited: Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46, a landlord may not terminate a tenancy, increase rent, or reduce services in retaliation for the tenant complaining to a governmental agency about code violations, organizing with other tenants, or exercising legal rights. Remedies may include damages and attorney fees.

Fair Housing: Termination may not be based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, or other protected characteristics under federal and Rhode Island fair housing laws (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-37-1 et seq.).

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): Active duty military tenants have protections that may affect notice periods and eviction timing. Verify status before proceeding.

Domestic Violence: Victims of domestic violence may have early termination rights and other protections. Additional notices or documentation may be required.

Security Deposit After Termination

After the tenant vacates and provides a forwarding address, the landlord must return the security deposit or provide an itemized statement of deductions within twenty (20) days under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19. Failure to do so may result in liability for twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus costs and fees.

Disclaimer and Sources

> Template, not professional legal advice. This template reflects Rhode Island Residential Landlord and Tenant Act requirements as of June 2026. Laws and local court procedures are subject to change. This notice is not a substitute for advice from a licensed Rhode Island attorney. Proper service, exact wording, and timing are critical. Consult counsel and verify current statutes and any applicable municipal rules before use.

Primary Sources (as of June 2026):

• R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 34-18-1 through 34-18-57 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act)
• R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-35 (Eviction for nonpayment of rent, 5-day notice)
• R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-36 (Noncompliance by tenant, 20-day notice)
• R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-37 (Termination of periodic tenancy, 30-day notice)
• R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 (Security deposits, 20-day return)
• R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-44 (Prohibited landlord conduct, no self-help)
• R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-46 (Retaliatory conduct prohibited)
• Rhode Island Housing Landlord-Tenant Handbook
• Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. §§ 3901 et seq.
• Rhode Island Fair Housing Practices Act, R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-37-1 et seq., -

*This is a sample template only. Verify all periods, service methods, and required language against the current Rhode Island General Laws and the rules of the court in which any action will be filed.*