R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 31-44 § 31-44-7.1
Security deposits
Operative Text
In any rental agreement for the lease of a mobile home in which the licensee requires the payment of a security deposit by the resident: (1) The deposit shall accumulate interest on an annual basis at the rate of three percent (3%). (2) No deposit will be required which is more than the amount of one month's rent. (3) The interest shall be paid to the resident annually or upon termination of the rental. (4) Upon termination of the rental, the licensee shall return the deposit along with accumulated interest within thirty (30) days, or shall provide the resident with a written itemized list of damages caused by the resident during the rental, other than ordinary wear and tear, and return to the resident the difference, if any, between the deposit and interest and the damages sustained. (5) The resident shall provide the licensee with a forwarding address upon vacating the premises so as to permit the licensee to return the deposit. (6) If the licensee fails to either return the deposit within thirty (30) days or pay interest on it, he or she shall be liable for damages not to exceed twice the amount of the deposit and three (3) times the amount of interest due. (7) Any security deposits received by the licensee shall be deposited in a savings account and earmarked specifically as a security deposit account, and that fund shall not be used by the licensee for any purpose except as provided in subdivision (4) of this section. (8) No security deposit shall be required for the rental of a mobile home lot or space.
Rhode Island General Laws § 31-44-7.1 governs security deposits in mobile home rental agreements. Under this provision, deposits are capped at one month's rent, must earn three percent annual interest paid to the resident each year or at lease end, and must be returned—with interest—within thirty days of termination or accompanied by a written itemized list of deductions for damages beyond ordinary wear and tear. Licensees are required to hold deposits in a dedicated savings account and may not use those funds for other purposes; no deposit may be charged for a mobile home lot or space alone.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to § 31-44-7.1 generally collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit and immediately place those funds in a dedicated, earmarked savings account separate from operating funds. Compliant operators track the three percent annual interest obligation and either pay it to the resident each year or include it in the final settlement, which must be completed within thirty days of move-out. When deductions are made, operators document damages beyond ordinary wear and tear in a written itemized statement and return any remaining balance; failure to meet the thirty-day deadline or to pay interest can expose the licensee to liability for up to twice the deposit amount and three times the interest owed under § 31-44-7.1.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents renting mobile homes in Rhode Island are protected by § 31-44-7.1, which limits the deposit a licensee may collect to one month's rent and entitles residents to three percent annual interest on that deposit. If a licensee fails to return the deposit within thirty days of move-out or neglects to pay the required interest, the statute provides that the licensee may be liable for damages up to twice the deposit and three times the interest due. Residents who believe their deposit rights have been violated may consider consulting a tenant-rights organization, raising the violation as a defense or counterclaim in any related legal proceeding, or exploring complaint options available through Rhode Island housing authorities.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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