R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-19 § 34-19-7
Recovery of costs by defendant
Operative Text
If the jury's verdict is that the complaint is not supported, or if the jury cannot agree upon a verdict, the defendant shall recover his or her costs of the proceeding, to be taxed by the court, who shall award to him or her, in common form, execution therefor.
Rhode Island General Laws § 34-19-7 establishes that when a landlord brings a complaint and the jury either finds the complaint unsupported or deadlocks without reaching a verdict, the defendant—typically the tenant—is entitled to recover the costs of the proceeding. The court is responsible for calculating those costs and issuing an execution order to enforce the award. This provision creates a cost-shifting mechanism that applies specifically when the plaintiff's complaint fails to gain jury support.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-19-7, landlords who pursue complaints under Chapter 34-19 bear the financial risk that, if the jury does not support the complaint or cannot reach a verdict, the court will award the defendant's litigation costs against them. Compliant operators generally evaluate the strength of their evidence before initiating proceedings, understanding that an unsuccessful or deadlocked jury outcome triggers a mandatory cost award to the other side. Keeping thorough documentation of lease terms, notices, and communications is a practice commonly associated with building a supportable complaint record.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 34-19-7 of Rhode Island General Laws gives defendants a statutory right to recover their costs of the proceeding when a jury finds the landlord's complaint unsupported or when the jury cannot agree on a verdict. Tenants who prevail or benefit from a hung jury may seek to have the court tax and award those costs through an execution order as described in this provision. Tenant-rights organizations in Rhode Island can help individuals understand how this cost-recovery right fits into the broader context of a Chapter 34-19 proceeding.
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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