Security Deposit Interest in Rhode Island: No State Requirement (2026)
Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act caps security deposits at one month's rent (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19) but does not require la… Calculator, statute citation, Last Verified date o
Quick answer
No — Rhode Island law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act caps security deposits at one month's rent (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19) but does not require landlords to pay interest on them. The rule comes from R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 (return: § 34-18-33). State statute (official text) · 2026-10-28
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What Rhode Island law does — and does not — require
Rhode Island has no statewide statute requiring interest on security deposits. Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act caps security deposits at one month's rent (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19) but does not require landlords to pay interest on them.
The statute that governs deposits in Rhode Island, R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 (return: § 34-18-33), covers how and when the deposit itself must be returned — it simply does not mandate interest on top.
How interest must be paid
N/A (no interest required) N/A; deposit must be returned at termination per § 34-18-33 (secondary sources cite a 20-day deadline — not verified against official text)
Who the law applies to
All residential rentals under R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 34-18
States that do require deposit interest
Rhode Island has no statewide requirement. If you are moving or own rentals across state lines, these states do — each rate is the statutory value verified on the state page:
| State | Statutory rate |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 5% per annum, or the lesser amount of interest actually received from |
| Ohio | 5% per annum |
| Maryland | greater of 1.5%/year or U.S. Treasury 1-year yield curve rate (leases |
| Minnesota | 1% per annum |
| New York | Interest actually accrued/paid on the deposit in the interest-bearing |
The statute behind it
| Field | Value | | --- | --- | --- | | Citation | R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19 (return: § 34-18-33) | | Official text | webserver.rilin.state.ri.us | | Last verified | 2026-10-28 |
⚠️ Full text of § 34-18-19 subsections (b)-(d) and § 34-18-33 not retrieved verbatim (page content partially captured) No qualified independent second source opened for the no-interest conclusion (FindLaw/RentPrep statements seen only in search snapshots)
Statutes get amended. If you are relying on this page — for a move-out, a dispute, or a lease draft — click through to the official text and confirm the current wording.
FAQ
Does Rhode Island require landlords to pay interest on security deposits?
No. Rhode Island law does not mandate interest; whatever the lease says governs. Rhode Island's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act caps security deposits at one month's rent (R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-19) but does not require landlords to pay interest on them.
How is deposit interest calculated in Rhode Island?
Chapter 34-18 (Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) was checked at the official RI statute site: § 34-18-19 governs security deposits (one-month cap) with no interest requirement; the chapter index contains no interest provision. Secondary guides concur RI does not mandate interest. The calculator at the top of this page reflects Rhode Island's rules where a numeric value exists.
When do I get the interest?
N/A; deposit must be returned at termination per § 34-18-33 (secondary sources cite a 20-day deadline — not verified against official text)
Can my lease require the landlord to pay interest anyway?
Yes — a lease can always give you more than state law requires, never less. If your Rhode Island lease promises interest, that promise is enforceable as a contract even though no statute mandates it.
Independent second source · 2026-10-28Related guides
- All states: security deposit interest by state · rent increase rules by state
- Tools: deposit interest calculator · rent increase calculator
- Neighboring states: Connecticut · Delaware
This page is information, not legal advice — see the full disclaimer.