Skip to main content
DRAFT FOR ATTORNEY REVIEW — NOT FINAL

State Water Resources Board v. Howard, 729 A.2d 712 (1999)

Citation
State Water Resources Board v. Howard, 729 A.2d 712 (1999)
Parent Document
State Water Resources Board v. Howard, 729 A.2d 712 (1999)
Jurisdiction
Rhode Island (state)
Effective Date
1999-05-27

Full Text

1,143 chars
In 1995, after an extensive market review for a rental update of its properties, the state proposed increasing rents to their fair market values and held public meetings to explain the appraisal process. In August 1995, the state mailed proposed leases, to be effective October 1995, which included increased rents to be implemented over a two-year period. Additionally, the new leases provided that in return for deducting an amount from the fair market value of the rent, the tenants would be responsible for all necessary maintenance and repairs (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and that the repairs should be in compliance with applicable housing and building codes. Part of this condition included an agreement to maintain the heating, plumbing, electrical, and all other mechanical and structural systems. Most tenants signed the new leases. However, the defendants, maintaining that the new leases constituted an improper attempt by the state to shift its lawful responsibilities as a landlord under G.L.1956 § 34-18-22, refused to sign. They continued to occupy the dwellings and fulfill their legal obligations under the 1982 leases.