§ 31-44-7.1. Security deposits.
In any rental agreement for the lease of a mobile home in which the licensee requires the payment of a security deposit by the resident:
(1) The deposit shall accumulate interest on an annual basis at the rate of three percent (3%).
(2) No deposit will be required which is more than the amount of one month’s rent.
(3) The interest shall be paid to the resident annually or upon termination of the rental.
(4) Upon termination of the rental, the licensee shall return the deposit along with accumulated interest within thirty (30) days, or shall provide the resident with a written itemized list of damages caused by the resident during the rental, other than ordinary wear and tear, and return to the resident the difference, if any, between the deposit and interest and the damages sustained.
(5) The resident shall provide the licensee with a forwarding address upon vacating the premises so as to permit the licensee to return the deposit.
(6) If the licensee fails to either return the deposit within thirty (30) days or pay interest on it, he or she shall be liable for damages not to exceed twice the amount of the deposit and three (3) times the amount of interest due.
(7) Any security deposits received by the licensee shall be deposited in a savings account and earmarked specifically as a security deposit account, and that fund shall not be used by the licensee for any purpose except as provided in subdivision (4) of this section.
(8) No security deposit shall be required for the rental of a mobile home lot or space.
History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 382, § 2; P.L. 1990, ch. 308, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 309, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 109, § 45.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles
Chapter 31-44 - Mobile and Manufactured Homes
Section 31-44-1. - Definitions.
Section 31-44-1.1 - — 31-44-1.3. Repealed.
Section 31-44-1.4. - Powers and duties of department.
Section 31-44-1.5. - Mobile and manufactured home advisory information.
Section 31-44-1.6. - Fees and charges for licenses.
Section 31-44-1.7. - Mobile and manufactured home park operation — License.
Section 31-44-1.8. - Survey of parks.
Section 31-44-2. - Evictions — Termination of tenancy.
Section 31-44-3. - Rules and regulations.
Section 31-44-3.1. - Sale of mobile home parks — Tenants association right of first refusal.
Section 31-44-3.2. - Mobile home parks — Discontinuance.
Section 31-44-3.3. - Future qualified sale of mobile- and manufactured-home community.
Section 31-44-4. - Sale of mobile and manufactured homes.
Section 31-44-4.1. - Recording of sale or transfer documents — Penalties.
Section 31-44-6. - Notice of judgment.
Section 31-44-7.1. - Security deposits.
Section 31-44-7.2. - Trailer parks located within the town of Exeter.
Section 31-44-8. - Notice required by law.
Section 31-44-9. - Enforceability.
Section 31-44-9.1. - Remedies.
Section 31-44-9.2. - Investigations.
Section 31-44-11. - Fiscal autonomy.
Section 31-44-12. - Severability.
Section 31-44-13. - Right of mobile home owners to peaceably assemble — Right to communicate.
Section 31-44-14. - Resident owned mobile home parks — Record keeping.
Section 31-44-15. - Purchase requirement.
Section 31-44-16. - Department of business regulation to hear matters.
Section 31-44-17. - Filing of complaint with department — Notice — Rules of evidence not binding.
Section 31-44-18. - Decisions, judicial review and enforcement.
Section 31-44-19. - Notification and cooperation required.
Section 31-44-20. - Mobile home conveyance tax.