The bill amends Section 34-18-30 of the General Laws in Chapter 34-18, known as the "Residential Landlord and Tenant Act," to allow tenants to undertake limited repairs and deduct the cost from their rent under certain conditions. The amendment increases the maximum allowable cost for such repairs from the previous limit of $125 to a new limit of $500 in the aggregate per year. This provision applies when a landlord fails to comply with specific subsections of § 34-18-22(a), and the tenant has followed the procedure of notifying the landlord, allowing 20 days for compliance or immediate action in emergencies, and providing an itemized statement of the repairs.

The bill specifies that tenants cannot repair at the landlord's expense if the damage was caused by the tenant, their family, or other persons on the premises with their consent. The bill also states that the tenant must carry out the repairs in a skilled manner and in compliance with state and local codes. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
5108  SUB A: 34-18-30
5108: 34-18-30