R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18.1 § 34-18.1-18
Payment of rent during pendency of appeal
Operative Text
Whenever an action for the recovery of real property covered by this chapter shall be pending on appeal in the superior or supreme court, the defendant or defendants in the action shall pay to the plaintiff or plaintiffs sums of money equal to the rent for the premises, which sums shall be paid at such times and in such amounts as rent would be due and payable were the action then not pending. The acceptance of this money shall not constitute a waiver of the right of the plaintiff or plaintiffs to obtain possession of the premises, nor shall the receipt thereof be deemed to reinstate the defendant or defendants as tenants.
Under Rhode Island law at R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18.1-18, when a property-recovery case is on appeal in superior or supreme court, the occupying party must continue making payments equal to the regular rent amount on the same schedule as if no lawsuit were pending. Critically, the landlord's acceptance of these payments does not waive their right to regain possession of the property, and receiving the money does not legally restore the occupant's status as a tenant. The provision essentially keeps rent-equivalent payments flowing during the appellate process without altering either party's legal position in the underlying dispute.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers involved in an appeal of a property-recovery action under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18.1-18 can generally expect to receive ongoing rent-equivalent payments from the occupant throughout the appellate period. Compliant operators typically accept these payments while maintaining clear records that document the payments as court-ordered rent equivalents rather than voluntary tenancy arrangements. Because the statute expressly states that acceptance does not constitute a waiver, landlords generally preserve their right to pursue full possession even while collecting these sums.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18.1-18, tenants or occupants who are defendants in a property-recovery action that is on appeal are required to continue paying amounts equal to their regular rent on the normal schedule during the appeal. It is worth understanding that making these payments does not legally reinstate a tenancy or grant new tenancy rights — the statute is explicit on this point. Occupants navigating this situation may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Rhode Island housing law to better understand how this provision interacts with their specific appeal.
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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