Adds a provision that allows a tenant to pay the last month's rent or any other prepaid rent. It also increases the amount that a security deposit can be requested from one to two (2) months of rent.

Plain-English Summary

This bill proposes two changes to Rhode Island's rules governing rental housing. First, it would officially allow landlords to collect "last month's rent" upfront when a tenant moves in — something that currently lacks a clear provision in state law. This means a landlord could legally require a tenant to pay for their final month of rent before they even begin living in the unit, in addition to the first month's rent.

Second, the bill would increase the maximum security deposit a landlord can charge from one month's rent to two months' rent. A security deposit is the money a tenant pays upfront that the landlord holds and can use to cover unpaid rent or damages when the tenant moves out. Under current Rhode Island law, landlords can only require up to one month's rent as a security deposit; this bill would double that limit.

These changes would directly affect both renters and landlords across Rhode Island. For tenants — especially those with lower incomes — the impact could be significant, as moving into a new home could require paying up to four months' worth of rent upfront (first month, last month, and a two-month security deposit). For landlords, the changes would provide greater financial protection against unpaid rent or property damage. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for further review.