R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 § 34-18-22.2
Landlord's duty regarding compliance with zoning and minimum housing laws
Operative Text
Whenever any landlord, either by his or her own labor or through the use of others acting on his or her behalf, undertakes physical alterations to an existing building which alterations create a residential apartment or apartments, and the landlord knew or should have known that the alterations would result in the construction of an apartment or apartments which violate the applicable state and/or local zoning laws and/or state or local minimum housing codes, the landlord shall be responsible to pay the moving costs of any tenants required to move from any of the apartments because of the nonconformity of the apartments with the law; provided, however, that the landlord will be required to pay such moving costs only to a place within the same city or town where the property in violation of the law is located.
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22.2, when a landlord carries out physical alterations to a building that result in the creation of one or more residential apartments that violate applicable state or local zoning laws or minimum housing codes, and the landlord knew or should have known about that noncompliance, the landlord bears financial responsibility for tenants' moving costs if those tenants are required to relocate because of the violation. The moving-cost obligation is geographically limited: it covers relocation only to another place within the same city or town where the noncompliant property is located. This rule applies regardless of whether the landlord performed the work personally or hired others to do it.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Section 34-18-22.2 places the financial burden of tenant relocation squarely on landlords who create apartments through alterations without ensuring those units conform to applicable zoning and minimum housing standards. Operators who undertake construction or renovation work generally verify in advance—through permits, zoning reviews, and code inspections—that any newly created residential units will be legally habitable and compliant. When a landlord knew or should have known about a code or zoning conflict and tenants are later displaced as a result, the landlord is responsible for covering those tenants' moving expenses to a comparable location within the same municipality.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-22.2 establishes a right to have moving costs paid by a landlord if you are required to leave an apartment that was created through building alterations that violated state or local zoning laws or minimum housing codes, and the landlord knew or should have known about the noncompliance. If you find yourself in this situation, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with your local housing or zoning authority, raising the landlord's obligation under this provision in any related legal proceeding, or reaching out to a Rhode Island tenant-rights organization for information about your options. Because the statute limits covered relocation to destinations within the same city or town, documenting your actual moving expenses and your new address may be relevant to any claim you pursue.
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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