Title 34
Property
Chapter 18
Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-11
§ 34-18-11. Definitions.
Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent sections of this chapter
which apply to specific sections thereof, and unless the context otherwise requires,
in this chapter:
(1) “Abandonment” means the tenant has vacated the premises without notice to the landlord
and has no intention of returning, as evidenced by nonpayment of rent for more than
fifteen (15) days and removal of substantially all possessions from the premises;
(2) “Action” includes recoupment, counterclaim, set-off, suit in equity, and any other
proceeding in which rights are determined, including an action for possession;
(3) “Building and housing codes” include any law, ordinance, or governmental regulation
concerning fitness for habitation, or the construction, maintenance, operation, occupancy,
use, or appearance of any premises of dwelling unit;
(4) “Dwelling unit” means a structure or part of a structure that is designed or intended
to be used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one or more persons;
(5) “Fair rental value” means rent which is of comparable value with that of other rental
properties of similar size and condition within the contiguous neighborhood;
(6) “Good faith” means honesty in fact in the conduct of the transaction concerned;
(7) “Landlord” means the owner, lessor, or sublessor of the dwelling unit or the building
of which it is a part, and it also means a manager of the premises who fails to disclose
as required by § 34-18-20;