R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 6-13.1 § 6-13.1-12
Appliances — Providing parts and manuals
Operative Text
No person who manufactures or distributes parts for electric and/or gas appliances shall refuse to sell or provide the parts or to sell or provide a service manual to any person engaged in the business of servicing and repairing the appliances.
Rhode Island General Laws § 6-13.1-12 establishes that manufacturers and distributors of parts for electric and gas appliances are prohibited from refusing to sell those parts—or the accompanying service manuals—to businesses that repair and service such appliances. The rule is designed to keep the repair market open by preventing parts and information from being withheld from legitimate service providers. It does not regulate the price of parts or manuals, only the act of refusal to supply them.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Although § 6-13.1-12 is not directed at landlords specifically, property owners who maintain appliances in rental units may benefit indirectly from this provision, because appliance repair businesses operating in Rhode Island are entitled to obtain the parts and service manuals they need to complete repairs. Operators who contract with appliance repair companies can note that those service providers have a legal basis to source parts and documentation from manufacturers and distributors. Understanding this backdrop can inform how landlords evaluate repair timelines and vendor capabilities.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 6-13.1-12 of Rhode Island's consumer protection statutes supports tenants indirectly by helping ensure that repair businesses can obtain the parts and manuals needed to fix electric and gas appliances. If an appliance in a rental unit goes unrepaired and a landlord claims parts are unavailable, tenants may wish to be aware that manufacturers and distributors are generally prohibited from refusing to supply parts to repair businesses under this provision. Tenants who believe their rights related to appliance maintenance are being affected can consult a tenant-rights organization or explore complaint options under Rhode Island's broader consumer protection framework.
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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