There is a new Rhode Island legislation (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-58) that may affect your rental properties. As of 10/01/2024, all RI rental unit owners are now required to register their properties with the Rhode Island Rental Registry: https://www.rentalregistry.ri.gov/

Registering your rental property is not just a legal requirement – it’s a step toward fostering safer and healthier living conditions for tenants. If your property was built before 1978, and is subject to lead hazard mitigation regulations, you must also submit proof of a valid lead certificate. Please note the following deadlines:

1. Initial registration should be completed by October 1, 2024.
2. New property owners or landlords must register within 30 days of acquisition or leasing.
3. Annual re-registration by October 1 to update or confirm existing information.

While we wanted to raise awareness of this important update, we encourage you to contact either the Rhode Island Department of Health or the Rhode Island Rental Registry department directly for more detailed information, including how to register and any specific requirements. The contact information can be found below:

RI Rental Registry:
Phone: (401) 222-7796
Email: rentalregistry@health.ri.gov
Website: https://www.rentalregistry.ri.gov/

RI Department of Health
Phone: (401) 222-5960
Website: https://health.ri.gov/healthrisks/poisoning/lead/for/landlords/

Failure to register or update your information can result in fines, starting at $50 per month and up to $1,000 per violation for repeated non-compliance. Please note that landlords who are not registered cannot proceed with eviction actions for nonpayment of rent. If you do need to obtain a certificate of lead conformance or lead certificate local lead inspectors can be found by using the below link. https://health.ri.gov/find/leadinspectors/#LeadInspector

Please note, our agency is simply providing this notice for informational purposes. If you have questions about the specifics of the legislation, you will need to reach out to the above departments for assistance. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and as always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns about your insurance policies.