DisputeKit / States / Rhode Island
Your consumer rights in Rhode Island
What Rhode Island and federal law say about getting a security deposit back, refunds and cancelling subscriptions, with the law cited and a sample letter for each.
Security deposits
20 days. Under Rhode Island General Laws § 34-18-19(b), a landlord must return the security deposit due, together with a written notice itemizing any deductions within 20 days. The clock starts when you move out and hand back possession of the unit. The 20 days only start once you have given your landlord a forwarding address. A court may also award the amount due plus damages equal to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorney's fees, if the landlord does not return the deposit with an itemized notice as required.
Refunds
If a company won't refund you, send a written demand with a clear deadline. If you paid by credit card, you may also be able to dispute the charge: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, a billing-error dispute must reach the card issuer in writing within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge.
Subscriptions
Rhode Island has no automatic-renewal statute. For subscriptions sold online, the federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act requires a simple way to stop recurring charges, and Rhode Island's general consumer protection law applies.
Small claims and complaints in Rhode Island
- Rhode Island consumer law
- Rhode Island General Laws § 6-13.1-2 (Deceptive Trade Practices Act)
- Where to file a complaint
- Rhode Island Attorney General, Consumer Protection Unit
- Small claims limit
- $5,000 in the small claims part of District Court, not counting interest and costs
- Filing fee
- About $55 to file on paper (electronic filing costs more), plus the cost of serving the defendant