Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-44 (2026)

Self-help recovery of possession prohibited

✓ current as of July 2026

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A landlord may not recover or take possession of the dwelling unit by action or otherwise, including willful diminution of services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of heat, running water, hot water, electric, gas, or other essential service to the tenant, except in case of abandonment, surrender, or as permitted in this chapter.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases, 1998–2016 · 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 6× “Specifically, the complaint alleged that Baird Properties violated § 34-18-44 2 (count 1), that Baird individually violated § 34-18-44 (count 2), malicious destruction of property by both defendants (count 3), and negligence by both defendants (count 4).”

FURLAN v. Farrar, 982 A.2d 581 (R.I. 2009). “What distinguishes this case from so many others, however, is the fact that in the instant case rent only accrued until October 6, 2006 — on which date the defendant landlord prevented his tenant from having access to the apartment, in violation of § 34-18-21 and § 34-18-44. The…”

Russo v. Fleetwood, 713 A.2d 775 (R.I. 1998). “Specifically, § 34-18-44 prohibits a landlord from recovering or taking possession of a dwelling unit through self-help recovery whereas § 34-18-46 prohibits a landlord from retaliating against a tenant for the tenant’s decision to exercise his or her rights.”

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