Title 34
Property
Chapter 18
Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22
§ 34-18-22. Landlord to maintain premises.
(a) A landlord shall:
(1) Comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes affecting health
and safety;
(2) Make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit
and habitable condition;
(3) Keep all common areas of the premises in a clean and safe condition;
(4) Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary,
heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and other facilities and appliances, including
elevators, supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord;
(5) Provide and maintain appropriate receptacles and conveniences for the removal of ashes,
garbage, rubbish, and other waste incidental to the occupancy of the dwelling unit
as required by § 45-24.3-6, or applicable local codes if more restrictive, and arrange for their removal;
(6) Supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water at all times as required
by § 45-24.3-7, or applicable local codes if more restrictive, and reasonable heat as required by
§ 45-24.3-9, or applicable local codes if more restrictive, between October 1 and May 1, except
where the building that includes the dwelling unit is not required by law to be equipped
for that purpose, or the dwelling unit is so constructed that heat or hot water is
generated by an installation within the exclusive control of the tenant and supplied
by a direct public utility connection; and