In a bid to alleviate the financial strain on renters, Representative Jennifer Stewart has introduced legislation that aims to provide Rhode Island tenants with more time to prepare for impending rent hikes. The proposed bill, labeled 2024-H 7304, mandates landlords to furnish a 90-day notice for any rent increment, extending it to 120 days for tenants aged 62 and above. The current law stipulates a 30-day notice period for general tenants and 60 days for those over 62.
Expressing the urgency of the legislation, Representative Stewart highlighted the challenges faced by individuals living paycheck-to-paycheck and already burdened by rent costs. “Our current law does not recognize today’s rental conditions in which it is so hard to find affordable apartments and in which families are faced with double-digit percentage rent increases,” said Representative Stewart, who represents District 59 in Pawtucket. The bill, she explained, aims to provide renters with the opportunity to adjust budgets, seek additional employment, or accumulate a security deposit, ultimately reducing stress for families by granting them more time to plan for their housing situation.