Rhode Island security deposit rules.
The Rhode Island rules for residential security deposits in plain English: how much can be charged, how fast it comes back, whether interest is owed, and what catches operators out.
Last reviewed · Statute: R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 · Not legal advice
How much can be charged
Capped at one month of rent.
When it has to come back
20 days from termination and receipt of forwarding address, with itemised deductions.
Interest
No interest is required.
Where the money has to sit
No segregation requirement.
What catches operators out
- 20-day return is faster than most states — a common compliance miss for out-of-state operators.
- Wilful retention triggers double damages plus reasonable attorney’s fees.
What this looks like with Standby in Rhode Island.
When a resident takes a Standby certificate there is no cash deposit to hold, so the cap, the return deadline and the interest rules above have nothing to attach to. You are covered up to the full deposit and draw on it when you need to.
When a resident pays cash instead, Standby handles that deposit under your lease and Rhode Island law, so your team is not tracking return deadlines by hand.
This page summarises the most common single-family and multifamily residential rule in Rhode Island. Furnished units, senior leases, mobile-home tenancies and short-term rentals can differ, and city ordinances may override the state default. Check the statute before relying on a figure for a specific lease.