The General Assembly approved legislation (2023-S 1099, 2023-H 5108A) sponsored by Sen. Tiara Mack and Rep. Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. which would increase the amount of costs for repairs that a tenant may deduct from their rent.

 “With housing affordably growing worse by the day, we cannot afford to have tenants in problematic or unsafe homes that are often putting our residents in economic or physical danger.  This bill will protect the Rhode Islanders who have the least while also keeping them in safe, warm and dry housing by allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned money while also addressing repair issues within their homes. This is an important tool for tenants that has not been updated since I was born and it will give tenants the ability to make their apartments and homes safe, habitable and livable,” said Senator Mack (D-Dist. 6, Providence).

 “If a landlord refuses to rectify an issue and a tenant is forced to pay for the solution themselves, the amount of the repairs should be deducted from the tenant’s rent.  And with costs still increasing on a daily basis, the current amount of $125 was far too low and needed to be increased in order to protect the financial well-being of the tenant. The last time it was increased was in 1986,” said Representative Solomon (D-Dist. 22, Warwick).

The legislation would increase the amount of costs for repairs that a tenant may deduct from rent from $125 to $500 in the aggregate per year and would take effect on January 1, 2024.

The bills now head to the governor for consideration.