{"data":{"id":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-34-18-56","jurisdiction":"us-ri","citation":"R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-56","heading":"Notices and complaint forms.","body":"(a) A notice in substantially the following language shall suffice for the purpose of giving a tenant a five (5) day demand for payment of rent prior to commencement of an eviction pursuant to § 34-18-35:\nFIVE-DAY DEMAND NOTICE FOR NONPAYMENT OF RENT R.I.G.L. 34-18-35 Date of Mailing: ________\nTO: _____________\n(tenant)\n_____________\n_____________\nYou are now more than fifteen days in arrears for some or all of the rent owed under your rental agreement. State law requires that you be sent this Notice of arrearage.\nUnless you make payment of all rent in arrears within five days of the date this notice was mailed to you, an eviction action may be instituted in court against you. You can prevent the eviction by paying all rent owing within five days of the mailing of this notice.\nIf you believe you have a legal reason for not paying this rent, you will be able to present that defense at the eviction hearing. The rent in arrears as of the above date is $_______ .\nI certify that I placed in regular U.S. mail, first class postage prepaid, a copy of this Notice, addressed to the tenant, on the _____ day of ____________ , 20___ .\n(b) A notice in substantially the following language shall suffice for the purpose of giving a tenant a notice of noncompliance with the rental agreement pursuant to § 34-18-36:\nNOTICE OF NONCOMPLIANCE R.I.G.L. 34-18-36 Date of Mailing: ________\nTO: _____________\n(tenant)\n_____________\n_____________\n(address)\nYou are in breach of your rental agreement, or of your legal duties under R.I.G.L. 34-18-24, because you:\n_________________________________________\n_________________________________________\n_________________________________________\nTo remedy this situation you must do the following within twenty days of the date of mailing of this Notice:\n_________________________________________\n_________________________________________\n_________________________________________\nIf you do not remedy this situation within twenty days, your rental agreement will terminate without further notice on _____ (date, which must be not less than twenty-one days from the date of mailing of this Notice). (NOTE: Under the law you lose this right to remedy your noncompliance if this is the second notice on the same subject within the past six months.) After that date an eviction case may begin in court, and you may be served with a complaint. You will have the right to a hearing and to present any defenses you believe you have.\nI certify that I placed in regular U.S. mail, first class postage prepaid, a copy of this Notice, addressed to the tenant, on the _____ day of ____________ , 20___ .\n(c) A notice in substantially the following language shall suffice for the purpose of giving a tenant notice of termination of tenancy pursuant to § 34-18-37:\nNOTICE OF TERMINATION OF TENANCY R.I.G.L. 34-18-37 Date of Mailing:________\nTO: _____________\n(tenant)\n_____________\n_____________\n(address)\nYou are hereby directed to vacate and remove your property and personal possessions from the premises located at _________________________________________\nThis notice is given for the purpose of terminating your tenancy. You must continue to pay rent as it becomes due until the date indicated above. If you fail to pay that rent, a nonpayment eviction action may be instituted against you.\nIf you fail to vacate the premises by the date specified, an eviction may be instituted against you without further notice. If you believe you have a defense to this termination, you will be able to raise that defense at the court hearing.\nI certify that I placed in regular U.S. mail, first class postage prepaid, a copy of this Notice, addressed to the tenant, on the _____ day of ____________ , 20___ .\n(d) A complaint in substantially the following language shall suffice for the purpose of commencing an eviction action for nonpayment of rent pursuant to § 34-18-35:\nState of Rhode Island\n\t_________________________________________ , Sc.\t\tDISTRICT COURT\n\t_________________________________________\t\t________ DIVISION\n\tPLAINTIFF\t\tDEFENDANT\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t(Landlord's Name)\t\t(Tenant's Name)\n\n\t\tV\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t(address)\t\t(address of rental premises)\n\nCOMPLAINT FOR EVICTION FOR NONPAYMENT OF RENT R.I.G.L. 34-18-35\n1. Plaintiff is the owner/landlord of the rental premises listed above, in which the Defendant Tenant currently resides.\n2. Defendant is more than fifteen days in arrears in rental payments due to the plaintiff from the defendant. The rent is $______ per ______ , and the amount in arrears is $______ as of the _____ day of ______ , 20___ .\n3. Plaintiff has served the five-day demand notice as required by law, and a copy of that notice is attached to this complaint. The notice was mailed to the defendant on the _____ day of ______ , 20___ .\n4. Defendant has not paid the rent in arrears or offered the full amount in arrears, either before or after the demand notice. Defendant remains in possession of the rental premises.\nWHEREFORE, Plaintiff requests that this Court grant a judgment for possession of the premises (eviction of the tenant) and for back rent in the amount of $______ , plus costs.\nDate complaint\nfiled with clerk _____\n(e) A complaint in substantially the following language shall suffice for the purpose of commencing an eviction action for noncompliance with the rental agreement pursuant to § 34-18-36, or an eviction action for unlawfully holding over after expiration or termination of the tenancy pursuant to § 34-18-38:\nSTATE OF RHODE ISLAND\n\t_________________________________________ , Sc.\t\tDISTRICT COURT\n\t_________________________________________\t\t________ DIVISION\n\tPLAINTIFF\t\tDEFENDANT\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t(Landlord's Name)\t\t(Tenant's Name)\n\n\t\tV\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t(address)\t\t(address of rental premises)\n\nCOMPLAINT FOR EVICTION FOR REASON OTHER THAN NONPAYMENT OF RENT R.I.G.L. 34-18-36 R.I.G.L. 34-18-38\n1. Plaintiff Landlord(s) owns the rental premises listed above, in which the Defendant Tenant(s) resides.\n2. CHECK ONE:\n__ Defendant breached the tenant’s obligations under the rental agreement or § 34-18-24 as set forth in the attached copy of the notice of noncompliance which was mailed to the defendant. Defendant has not cured or remedied the breach. (Plaintiff must attach copy of required notice of noncompliance.)\n__ Defendant has remained in possession of the rented premises following the period set forth in the attached notice of termination of tenancy which was mailed to defendant. (Plaintiff must attach copy of required termination notice.)\n__ Defendant breached the tenants’ obligations under § 34-18-24(8), (9) or (10).\n3. Plaintiff seeks judgment for possession of the premises plus judgment in the amount of _________________________________________\nfor _________________________________________\n_________________________________________\n_________________________________________\n_________________________________________\nDate complaint filed\nwith clerk _____\n(f) A complaint in substantially the following language, or in similar language, shall be sufficient for use by landlords or by tenants to bring any claims or causes of action other than eviction actions:\nNOT FOR EVICTION\nState of Rhode Island\n\t_________________________________________ , Sc.\t\tDISTRICT COURT\n\t_________________________________________\t\t________ DIVISION\n\tPLAINTIFF\t\tDEFENDANT\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t(Name)\t\t(Name)\n\n\t\tV\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t(address)\t\t(address of rental premises)\n\nLANDLORD-TENANT COMPLAINT (NOT FOR USE IN EVICTIONS)\n1. Plaintiff is the ___ Tenant ___ Landlord/Owner of the rental premises at ____________________ .\n2. Defendant is the ___ Tenant ___ Landlord/Owner.\n3. Plaintiff claims that defendant has breached the obligations of the rental agreement or law in relation to this landlord-tenant relationship, as follows:\n_________________________________________\n_________________________________________\n_________________________________________\n(brief description of claim, attach extra sheet, if necessary)\n4. Plaintiff seeks the following judgment or relief from the Court:\n_________________________________________\n_________________________________________\n_________________________________________\nDate Complaint Filed ____________________\nWith Clerk: _____ (Signature of plaintiff or plaintiff's\n(g) The summons in an action for eviction for nonpayment of rent pursuant to § 34-18-35 shall be in substantially the following form:\nSTATE OF RHODE ISLAND DISTRICT COURT SUMMONS EVICTION-NONPAYMENT OF RENT DIVISION COUNTY CIVIL ACTION-FILE NO.\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t(name \u0026 address of plaintiff\t\t(name \u0026 address of defendant-\n\tlandlord)\t\ttenant)\nTO THE TENANT: You are served with an eviction complaint for nonpayment of rent. If you do nothing, you will lose by default and be evicted. If you claim any defense, you must complete the enclosed ANSWER and file it with the Court Clerk at or before the hearing date. You should also mail a copy to the landlord or the landlord’s lawyer. Your hearing will be at 9:30 A.M. on the hearing date, at the court address listed above. You should go to the hearing or you may lose by default. If you think the case is “settled,” you should still go to the hearing to make sure the settlement is in the court record.\nYOUR HEARING DATE IS: ________________ .\nI hereby certify that I served a copy of the Complaint and Summons \u0026 Answer upon the defendant(s) by delivering or leaving said papers in the following manner:\n___\tto the defendant personally; or\n___\tat his or her dwelling unit or usual place of abode at the address listed below with a person of suitable age then residing therein; or\n___\tif none be found, by posting conspicuously on the door to the defendant’s dwelling unit.\nADDRESS OF DWELLING OR USUAL PLACE OF ABODE:\n_________________________________________\nNAME OF PERSON OF SUITABLE AGE:\n_________________________________________\nSERVICE DATE: _________________________________________\nDEPUTY SHERIFF/CONSTABLE: _________________________________________\n_________________________________________\nI hereby certify that a copy of this Complaint and Summons was placed into regular U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, on the _____ day of ______ , 20___ , addressed to defendant at the following address:\n____________________ .\n(h) The summons in an action for eviction for noncompliance with the rental agreement pursuant to § 34-18-36, or for unlawfully holding over after termination or expiration of tenancy pursuant to § 34-18-38, shall be in substantially the following form:\nState of Rhode Island\nDistrict Court Summons\nEVICTION FOR REASON OTHER THAN NONPAYMENT OF RENT\nDIVISION COUNTY CIVIL ACTION-FILE NO.\n_______________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\n\t\tV\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t(name \u0026 address of plaintiff\t(name \u0026 address of\n\tlandlord)\t\tdefendant-tenant)\nTO THE TENANT: You are served with an eviction complaint for noncompliance with rental agreement (R.I.G.L. 34-18-36), or for unlawfully holding over after termination or expiration of tenancy (R.I.G.L. 34-18-38). If you do nothing, you will lose by default and be evicted. If you claim any defense, you must complete the enclosed ANSWER and file it with the Court Clerk within TWENTY (20) days after you are served with this summons and complaint. You should also mail a copy of the ANSWER to the landlord or the landlord’s lawyer. If you file the enclosed ANSWER, then you will receive another written notice telling you when the hearing will be. If you have any questions, you may consult a lawyer. If you think the case is “settled” you should still file the enclosed ANSWER or be sure that the written settlement is in the file at the Clerk’s office.\n(Proof of Service on next page)\n________________\nPROOF OF SERVICE\nI hereby certify that I served a copy of the Complaint, Summons, and Answer form upon the defendant(s) by delivering or leaving said papers in the following manner:\n__ to the defendant personally\n__ at his/her dwelling unit or usual place of abode at the address listed below, with a person of suitable age then residing therein\n__ to an agent named below authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process\n__ further notice as required by law was given as noted below\nAddress of dwelling or usual place of abode:\n_________________________________________\nName of person of suitable age or of agent:\n_________________________________________\nService Date: _____\nDeputy Sheriff/Constable (circle one):\n(i) The summons in an action relating to any claims by tenants, or by landlords other than for eviction, shall be in substantially the following form:\nState of Rhode Island\nDistrict Court Summons\n_________________________________________ ______ _________________________________________ DIVISION COUNTY CIVIL ACTION-FILE NO. _________________________________________ _________________________________________ PLAINTIFF PLAINTIFF’S ATTORNEY _________________________________________ ADDRESS vs _________________________________________ ______ DEFENDANT _________________________________________ DEFENDANT’S ADDRESS _________________________________________ _________________________________________\nTO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANT:\nYou are hereby summoned and required to serve upon the plaintiff’s attorney, whose name and address appears above, an answer to the complaint which is herewith served upon you. Your answer must be made within 20 days after service of this summons, excluding the date of service. The original must be filed in writing with this court. If you fail to do so, judgment by default will be taken against you for the relief demanded in the complaint.\n_________________________________________ _________________________________________ DATE CLERK _________________________________________ _________________________________________ SEAL OF THE DISTRICT COURT DATE RECEIVED _________________________________________\nPROOF OF SERVICE\nI hereby certify that on the date below I served a copy of this summons and a copy of the complaint received herewith upon the above-named defendant by delivering or leaving said papers in the following manner:\n□ to the defendant personally. □ at his or her dwelling house or usual place of abode at the address entered below, with a person of suitable age and discretion then residing therewith. □ to an agent named below authorized by appointment or by law to receive service of process. □ Further notice as required by statute was given as noted on the reverse side.\n_________________________________________\nAddress of Dwelling or Usual Place of Abode\n_________________________________________\nName of Authorized Agent or Person of Suitable Age\n_________________________________________ _________________________________________ Date Deputy Sheriff/Constable _________________________________________ _________________________________________ SERVICE FEE $____\n(j) The blank answer served in eviction actions shall be in substantially the following form:\nState of Rhode Island\n\t_________________________________________ , Sc.\t\tDISTRICT COURT\n\t_________________________________________\t\t________ DIVISION\n\tPLAINTIFF\t\tDEFENDANT\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t(Landlord's Name)\t\t(Tenant's Name)\n\n\t\tV\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t_________________________________________\t\t_________________________________________\n\t(address)\t\t(address of rental premises)\n\nINSTRUCTIONS TO THE DEFENDANT\nTENANT’S ANSWER\nWHEREFORE: Because of the defense(s) indicated above, I ask the court to grant a judgment in my favor and not order me to be evicted.\nCOUNTERCLAIM\nInstructions: If you believe you are entitled to be awarded damages or money for any reason from your landlord, you may fill out the statement below:\nI hereby sue my landlord for the amount of $______ .\nI believe I am entitled to receive an award of this amount because\n_________________________________________\n_______________ ____________\nName of Defendant (or attorney) Signature of Defendant\n_______________\nAddress\n_______________\nTelephone number","path":["Title 34 Property","Chapter 18 Residential Landlord and Tenant Act"],"source_url":"https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE34/34-18/34-18-56.htm","current_through":"site files published 2025-08-13","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T19:58:46Z","sha256":"c8c1525a027f313a2884c55ffa018bde2be688070537279adf78979572d77453","source_id":"us-ri","stale":true,"prev":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-34-18-55","next":"us-ri/r.i.-gen.-laws-34-18-57"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}