R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-2: Purposes — Rules of construction.

(a) This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies.

(b) Underlying purposes and policies of this chapter are to:

(1) Simplify, clarify, modernize and revise the law governing the rental of dwelling units and the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants;

(2) Encourage landlords and tenants to maintain and improve the quality and availability of housing;

(3) Make more uniform the law relating to residential landlord and tenant relations in those respects in which this chapter follows the “Uniform Residential Landlord — Tenant Act”.