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R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-20-10

Unlawful termination of tenancy in general

Applied in 1 court decision — leading case Golphin v. Park Monroe Associates (1976)

Most recently applied in Golphin v. Park Monroe Associates (February 1976)

P.L. 1968, ch. 55, § 1.

When proceedings commenced under this chapter are to regain possession of the premises following the alleged termination of a tenancy, if the defendant alleges in his or her answer and if it appears by a preponderance of the evidence that any of the following situations exist, judgment shall be entered for the defendant:

(1) That the alleged termination was intended as a penalty for the defendant’s justified attempt to secure or enforce rights under a lease or contract, or under the laws of the state or its governmental subdivisions, or of the United States.

(2) That the alleged termination was intended as a penalty for the defendant’s justified complaint to a governmental authority with a report of plaintiff’s violation of any health or safety code or ordinance.

(3) That the alleged termination was intended as a penalty for any other justified lawful act of the defendant.

(4) That the alleged termination was a tenancy in housing operated by a city, town, municipal housing authority, or other unit of a local government, and was terminated without cause.

Official source: Rhode Island General Assembly. Reproduced from public-domain Rhode Island statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.