R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 § 34-18-44
Self-help recovery of possession prohibited
Operative Text
A landlord may not recover or take possession of the dwelling unit by action or otherwise, including willful diminution of services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of heat, running water, hot water, electric, gas, or other essential service to the tenant, except in case of abandonment, surrender, or as permitted in this chapter.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18-44 prohibits landlords from reclaiming a rental unit through any means other than the formal legal process, abandonment, or surrender. This includes deliberately cutting off or disrupting essential services such as heat, running water, hot water, electricity, or gas as a way to pressure a tenant to leave. The rule makes clear that self-help eviction tactics—whether physical or through service shutoffs—are not a lawful path to recovering possession.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-18-44, compliant operators in Rhode Island rely exclusively on the court-supervised eviction process when seeking to recover a dwelling unit, rather than taking matters into their own hands. Operators generally ensure that all essential services—heat, running water, hot water, electricity, and gas—remain uninterrupted throughout a tenancy, regardless of any dispute with the tenant. The only recognized exceptions under this section are abandonment and surrender, both of which carry their own documentation considerations.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-18-44 of Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act gives tenants a clear protection against being forced out through service shutoffs or other self-help measures. If a landlord interrupts heat, hot water, running water, electricity, gas, or other essential services in an apparent effort to recover possession, that conduct may constitute a violation of this provision. Tenants who believe this section has been violated can explore options such as raising the violation as a defense in any eviction proceeding, contacting a local tenant-rights organization, or consulting with an attorney familiar with Rhode Island housing law.
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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