LOCAL RULES: R.I. GEN. LAWS 34-18-26

Rhode Island notice of entry requirements

Your Rhode Island notice of entry has one rule to meet. ReportDraft puts it on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

  • Two days' notice, entry at reasonable times
Start free: fill in yours

ReportDraft Landlord from $9 a month. 14-day free trial with your first report and up to 5 template downloads. Card required, nothing charged today, cancel anytime. Need just one? One notice of entry for $19, no subscription.

Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act asks for at least two days' notice of the landlord's intent to enter, at reasonable times. It also allows entry while a tenant is away for more than seven days when needed to protect the property. Here is each rule with a link to the General Laws.

Last reviewed October 26, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Notice of entryRHODE ISLAND / FREE CALCULATOR

Notice period and entry times

WhatWhenRule
Notice givenNovember 2, 2026 (attached to the door)R.I. Gen. Laws s. 34-18-26 (c)
Earliest lawful entry without the tenant's consentNovember 4, 2026R.I. Gen. Laws s. 34-18-26 (c)
Planned entryNovember 4, 2026: after the notice periodR.I. Gen. Laws s. 34-18-26 (c)
Hours of entryAt reasonable timesR.I. Gen. Laws s. 34-18-26 (c)
What the notice must sayAt least two days' notice of the intent to enter, except in an emergency or if impracticableR.I. Gen. Laws s. 34-18-26 (c)

Emergencies, an abandoned unit and the tenant's consent at the time of entry follow their own rules (listed on this page). A lease may give the tenant more notice; check it.

Start free and fill in the whole document

Sample figures. Change them to work out your own, no sign-up.

What Rhode Island requires

  • A tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent for the landlord to enter to inspect, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or show the unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workers or contractorsR.I. Gen. Laws s. 34-18-26 (a)
  • A landlord may enter without consent in an emergency, or during an absence of the tenant of more than seven days if reasonably necessary to protect the propertyR.I. Gen. Laws s. 34-18-26 (b)
  • Except in an emergency or if it is impracticable, the landlord gives at least two days' notice of the intent to enter and enters only at reasonable times; the landlord may not abuse access or use it to harass the tenantR.I. Gen. Laws s. 34-18-26 (c)
  • The landlord has no other right of access except by court order, as section 34-18-39 allows, or if the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premisesR.I. Gen. Laws s. 34-18-26 (d)
  • If the tenant's breach materially affecting health and safety can be fixed by repair, replacement or cleaning and the tenant does not act within 20 days after written notice (or as promptly as an emergency requires), the landlord may enter, have the work done and bill the cost as rentR.I. Gen. Laws s. 34-18-39

Two days, reasonable times

Except in an emergency or where it is impracticable, tell the tenant at least two days ahead that you intend to enter, and come at a reasonable time. The tenant may not unreasonably refuse inspections, repairs, services or showings, and you may not use access to harass.

Emergencies and long absences

An emergency allows entry without consent, and so does a tenant's absence of more than seven days when entry is reasonably needed to protect the property.

Fixing a tenant's health and safety breach

If a tenant leaves a health or safety problem unfixed for 20 days after written notice, the landlord may enter, have the work done properly and bill the reasonable cost as rent. Otherwise only a court order or an abandoned unit gives access.

Common mistakes

  • Giving one day's notice for a routine inspection.
  • Entering for a tenant's repair breach before the 20 days after written notice have passed.
  • Treating a short weekend away as an absence that allows entry.

Sources

Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Next review due January 26, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.