Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-34 (2026)

Tenant’s remedies for landlord’s unlawful ouster, exclusion, or diminution of service

✓ current as of July 2026

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If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant from the premises or willfully diminishes services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of heat, running water, hot water, electric, gas, or other essential service, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the rental agreement and, in either case, recover an amount not more than three (3) months periodic rent or threefold the actual damages sustained by him or her, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney’s fees. If the rental agreement is terminated the landlord shall return all security recoverable under § 34-18-19 and all prepaid rent.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases, 2001–2016 · leading case: Tracy Gregoire v. Baird Props., LLC, 138 A.3d 182 (R.I. 2016).

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Tracy Gregoire v. Baird Props., LLC, 138 A.3d 182 (R.I. 2016). · cites it 4× “Ultimately, the trial justice held that plaintiffs Gregoire and Traynor were entitled to the statutory remedy provided by § 34-18-34. As damages, he awarded three months’ rent ($2,955), reasonable attorney’s fees (amount to be determined), and the return of plaintiffs’ security…”

Kingstown Mobile Home Park v. Strashnick, 774 A.2d 847 (R.I. 2001). · cites it 4× “" Section 34-18-34. The Superior Court justice found that "the term `protected lawful action' [was] sufficiently broad as to include [Strashnick's] action in his defending the previous eviction action and in filing the previous, albeit unsuccessful, counterclaim," and she…”

Hoffman v. Davenport-Metcalf, 851 A.2d 1083 (R.I. 2004). · cites it 2× “[5] General Laws 1956 § 34-18-46(b) of the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act provides in pertinent part: "If the landlord acts in violation of subsection (a), the tenant is entitled to the remedies provided in § 34-18-34 and has a defense in any retaliatory action against him…”

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