The bill amends Section 34-18-11 of the General Laws in the "Residential Landlord and Tenant Act" by introducing new definitions and clarifying existing terms. Key insertions include the definition of "Disabled person," which outlines criteria for identifying individuals with significant impairments, and the addition of "housing accommodation" to the definition of "Dwelling unit." The definition of "Landlord" is updated to include assigners and other individuals entitled to receive rent, while the term "sublessor" is removed. Additionally, the definition of "Tenant" is broadened to cover various forms of occupancy beyond traditional rental agreements.

The bill also establishes new provisions regarding just cause evictions, applying to all housing accommodations with certain exemptions, such as owner-occupied premises with fewer than four units. It prohibits landlords from evicting tenants without good cause, which is detailed in the new section 34-18-38.3. The legislation specifies that landlords can only seek eviction based on established just cause grounds, including failure to pay rent and violation of tenancy obligations, while allowing tenants to take legal action against landlords for fraudulent claims. Furthermore, any agreements that waive or modify tenant rights under the new regulations are voided, and landlords must comply with all applicable laws before initiating eviction proceedings. The act aims to enhance tenant protections and ensure fair treatment in eviction processes.

Statutes affected:
212: 34-18-11