R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18.1 § 34-18.1-4
Quitting by tenants by parol from year to year
Operative Text
Tenants by parol of lands, buildings, or parts of buildings covered by this chapter, from year to year, shall quit at the end of the year upon notice in writing from the landlord given at least three (3) months prior to the expiration of the occupation year.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18.1-4 governs oral ('by parol') year-to-year tenancies for land, buildings, or portions of buildings. Under this provision, a landlord who wishes to end such a tenancy must deliver written notice to the tenant at least three months before the occupation year expires. If proper notice is given, the tenant is required to vacate at the close of that year.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators managing oral year-to-year tenancies in Rhode Island should be aware that § 34-18.1-4 sets a mandatory written-notice requirement. A compliant landlord calculates the end of the occupation year and delivers written termination notice no later than three months before that date. Landlords who rely on verbal communication or who provide notice too close to the year's end may find the notice legally insufficient to end the tenancy.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 34-18.1-4, tenants holding an oral year-to-year arrangement have a right to at least three months' written notice before a landlord can require them to vacate at year's end. If a landlord attempts to end the tenancy without providing timely written notice, a tenant may be able to raise the defective notice as a defense in any eviction or possession proceeding. Tenants who have questions about whether their tenancy qualifies or whether notice was properly given may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider 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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