R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 45-31.2 § 45-31.2-5
Payment for replacement housing for displaced tenants and certain others
Operative Text
In addition to amounts otherwise authorized by this chapter, a relocation agency shall make a payment to or for any displaced person displaced from any dwelling not eligible to receive a payment under § 45-31.2-4 which dwelling was actually and lawfully occupied by the displaced person for not less than ninety (90) days prior to the initiation of negotiations for acquisition of the dwelling. The payment is either: (1) The amount necessary to enable the displaced person to lease or rent for a period not to exceed any limitation provided in federal law, a decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling of standards adequate to accommodate the person in areas not generally less desirable in regard to public utilities and public and commercial facilities, and reasonably accessible to his or her place of employment, but not to exceed the amount established by the federal law; or (2) The amount necessary to enable the person to make a down payment (including incidental expenses described in § 45-31.2-4(a)(3)), on the purchase of a decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling of standards adequate to accommodate the person in areas not generally less desirable in regard to public utilities and public and commercial facilities, but not to exceed the amount established by federal law, except that if the amount exceeds the amount established by federal law, in making the down payment.
Rhode Island General Laws § 45-31.2-5 establishes a relocation payment program for displaced tenants who lived lawfully in a dwelling for at least 90 days before acquisition negotiations began, but whose dwelling does not qualify for payments under § 45-31.2-4. Under this provision, a relocation agency must provide one of two types of financial assistance: either a rental assistance payment to help the displaced person secure comparable housing in a similarly situated area, or a down payment contribution toward the purchase of a comparable dwelling. Both payment types are subject to caps set by applicable federal law, and the replacement housing must meet decent, safe, and sanitary standards while remaining reasonably accessible to the person's place of employment.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers involved in acquisition projects subject to § 45-31.2-5 should be aware that relocation agencies—not landlords—bear the primary obligation to make these payments to displaced tenants. Compliant operators in acquisition contexts generally maintain accurate records of tenant occupancy dates, since the 90-day lawful occupancy threshold is a key eligibility trigger under this provision. Understanding how § 45-31.2-5 interacts with federal relocation assistance caps can help property managers coordinate effectively with the relocation agency overseeing a displacement event.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 45-31.2-5, tenants who were lawfully living in a dwelling for at least 90 days before acquisition negotiations began may be entitled to relocation assistance from the responsible relocation agency, even if they do not qualify under § 45-31.2-4. This assistance can take the form of rental support to help secure comparable housing or a contribution toward a down payment on a purchased home, both subject to federal limits. Tenants who believe they may qualify can contact the relocation agency involved in their displacement, consult a local tenant-rights organization, or explore whether a complaint or claim process is available through the agency administering the acquisition project.
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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