This bill amends the "Residential Landlord and Tenant Act" to enhance protections for tenants and establish a statewide mandatory rental registry for residential properties built before 1978. It requires landlords to register lead hazard mitigation information with the Department of Health (DOH), which will be kept private and accessible only to specific entities, including tenants of the respective units, the DOH, any city or town in Rhode Island, the Rhode Island judiciary, and other governmental agencies with a legitimate purpose related to lead or code enforcement.

The bill prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants for exercising their rights, such as reporting health and safety violations or joining tenant organizations. It clarifies that landlords may still pursue eviction under certain conditions, including compliance with the applicable lead mitigation act or building code, and allows landlords to bring an action for possession without it being considered retaliatory.

Landlords are required to register specific information regarding their properties, including the names of individual landlords or business entities responsible for leasing, and must do so free of charge. The DOH is restricted from creating additional burdens or requiring more information than specified in the bill and must promptly issue lead inspection documentation requested by landlords. The act also stipulates that landlords must re-register annually unless there are no changes to the information.

The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
490: 34-18-46, 34-18-58