A Rhode Island eviction notice is an official communication informing a tenant of a lease agreement violation. This notification outlines the reason for the notice and specifies the timeframe the landlord is providing for the tenant to rectify the issue. Failure by the tenant to address the situation appropriately may prompt the landlord to pursue eviction proceedings by submitting a filing to the District Court.
Landlords must give tenants five (5) days’ notice to pay rent after rent is late for more than fifteen (15) days before they begin eviction proceedings.
Give tenants 20 days’ notice to quit if they don't comply with the lease.
Let a tenant know that you’re ending a month-to-month lease agreement.
In the case of non-payment of rent, a 15-day grace period must pass before the landlord can send a notice. No grace period is necessary in cases where tenants don’t comply with lease terms.
Please note that before proceeding with a formal court eviction, the landlord must issue proper notice. Landlords may deliver notice via first-class mail, registered or certified mail, personal service, or process server.
After the applicable notice period, the landlord files a complaint with the local District Court Clerk’s office. The summons include the district court location, date, and time.
The court has the complaint served on the tenant with a summons to appear. The summons will detail the time, date, and location at which the tenant must respond. The tenant should receive the summons at least five days prior to a court hearing.
The tenant must file an answer to the summons and complaint. If the tenant fails to provide a written response, the court will likely enter a default judgment in favor of the landlord.
If the tenant paid or attempted to pay the rent in full, the eviction cannot proceed. In cases where the eviction is brought about due to a breach in the lease, the tenant cannot be evicted if they’ve remedied the issue within 20 days.
If the landlord receives a court order for eviction, the tenant has five days to appeal or vacate the premises.
After the tenant files the appeal, the district court will send the case to the superior court. The superior court will schedule a new court date.
A writ of execution gives the tenant a specific date to remove their belongings and leave the property. The writ is also given to the Sheriff’s Department, which will forcibly remove the tenant if necessary.
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