2023 -- H 5580
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LC001116
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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A N A C T
RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT
Introduced By: Representatives Morales, Speakman, Caldwell, Cruz, Knight, Phillips,
Handy, Fogarty, Craven, and Batista
Date Introduced: February 15, 2023
Referred To: House Judiciary
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 34-18 of the General Laws entitled "Residential Landlord and Tenant 1
Act" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section: 2
34-18-58. Prohibition of rental application fees. 3
(a) A landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, real estate broker, property management company, or 4
designee shall not require or demand any prospective tenant or tenant to pay a rental application 5
fee, or collect any rental application fee from a prospective tenant or tenant. 6
(b) For the purposes of this section, "rental application fee" means any monetary fee that 7
is collected during the rental application rental process for a residential unit, including, but not 8
limited to, a fee for a credit check, background check, screening, or administrative services. 9
(c) Any violations of this section shall be deemed a deceptive trade practice pursuant to § 10
6-13.1-2 and shall be punishable pursuant to the provisions set forth in § 6-13.1-14. 11
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 12
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LC001116
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LC001116 - Page 2 of 2
EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT
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This act would prohibit a landlord, lessor, sub-lessor, real estate broker, property 1
management company, or designee to require or receive a fee for a rental application from a 2
prospective tenant or tenant. Violations would be unfair business practices punishable as a 3
misdemeanor with a fine of five hundred dollars ($500). 4
This act would take effect upon passage. 5
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LC001116
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