R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18 § 34-18-55
Severability
Operative Text
If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or application of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable.
Section 34-18-55 of Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act establishes a severability rule, meaning that if any single part of Chapter 34-18 is found legally invalid or unenforceable by a court, that finding does not automatically invalidate the rest of the chapter. The remaining provisions continue to operate independently, as long as they can function without the invalidated portion. This is a standard legal mechanism designed to preserve the overall statute even when one element is struck down.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 34-18-55, the protections and obligations set out in Chapter 34-18 remain in force even if a court invalidates a specific provision within it. Property owners and managers can generally rely on the rest of the chapter's framework continuing to apply to their operations, regardless of any legal challenge to an isolated section. Staying current with any court rulings that affect specific provisions of Chapter 34-18 is a practice consistent with compliant property management.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-18-55 means that tenant rights established elsewhere in Chapter 34-18 are not automatically wiped out if one part of the chapter is successfully challenged in court. The bulk of the chapter's protections—covering areas like habitability, security deposits, and notice requirements—can remain enforceable even if a specific provision is ruled invalid. Tenants who believe their rights under Chapter 34-18 have been affected by a legal ruling may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider for current information on which provisions remain in effect.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation