Creates a tenant bill of rights to the right to counsel, the right to habitability, the right to organize free, the right to be free from discrimination, the right to first refusal if the landlord decides to sell the property, and right to renew lease.
The proposed bill seeks to amend the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, thereby impacting existing laws related to tenant protections. One of the most notable changes is the introduction of protections against discrimination in rental practices based on various criteria including race, religion, sexual orientation, and income. This aims to create a more equitable rental market. Moreover, the bill places limits on how much rent can be increased annually, setting a cap of 4% unless landlords can demonstrate a legitimate need for a higher increase. This aims to protect tenants from exploitative rent increases, particularly in fast-growing property markets.
Bill S2417, titled the Tenant Bill of Rights, is a legislative proposal aimed at enhancing protections for tenants in the state of Rhode Island. The bill introduces several key rights for tenants, including the right to legal counsel for those who are financially unable to afford it, specifically for tenants with children. Additionally, the bill enshrines the right to habitability, which ensures that rental properties meet basic living standards, and provides tenants the freedom to organize without harassment. Another significant feature of the bill is the establishment of a first right of refusal for tenants when their landlord decides to sell the property, granting them a sixty-day period to match any offers made by potential buyers.
While the bill has garnered support from tenant advocacy groups who view it as a much-needed reform in tenant protections, it also faces opposition from some landlord associations and property owners. Critics argue that the provisions, particularly those related to rent control and the right of first refusal, could discourage investment in rental properties and lead to less availability in the housing market. Additionally, there are concerns about the administrative burden raised by the bill's requirements for landlords regarding notifications and repairs, which some stakeholders believe could complicate the rental process and discourage rentals altogether.