The bill amends Section 34-18-11 of the General Laws within the "Residential Landlord and Tenant Act" to introduce new definitions and clarify existing terms. Key insertions include the definition of "Disabled person," which outlines criteria for identifying individuals with significant impairments, and the term "housing accommodation" as a synonym for "dwelling unit." The definition of "Landlord" is updated to include assigners and others entitled to receive rent, while the term "sublessor" is deleted. Additionally, the definition of "Tenant" is broadened to cover various occupancy forms, including those in rooming houses or hotels.

The bill also establishes stricter regulations regarding tenant evictions, mandating that landlords cannot remove tenants without a court order, regardless of lease status. It specifies grounds for "good cause" evictions, such as non-payment of rent, lease violations, nuisance behavior, illegal property use, and personal necessity for the unit. Tenants are granted the right to seek damages for wrongful evictions, and any agreements waiving these rights are deemed void. The bill emphasizes compliance with applicable laws and notice requirements before eviction proceedings, reinforcing tenant protections in the housing market and ensuring fair treatment in eviction processes.

Statutes affected:
5503: 34-18-11