Rhode Island Senate Bill S2734

Rhode Island 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/26
• Refer: 2/27/26

Caption

Requires landlords who rent shoreline property to provide their tenants, before the start of the tenancy, with a detailed, written disclosure regarding their shoreline access rights.

Impact

This legislation has the potential to enhance tenant awareness and rights regarding shoreline access, ensuring that individuals renting properties in these areas understand their rights and the rights of the public. By mandating this disclosure, S2734 aims to minimize disputes between landlords and tenants regarding access and usage of shoreline properties. Additionally, the bill also stipulates that landlords must keep this information current and applies to any successor landlord, thereby ensuring continuity in tenant awareness regardless of changes in property management.

Summary

Bill S2734, introduced in the Rhode Island General Assembly, seeks to amend the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act by mandating that landlords renting shoreline properties provide their tenants with a written disclosure detailing public access rights to the shoreline. This requirement is aimed at ensuring that tenants are fully informed about the legal rights of the public to access the shoreline adjacent to their rental property before the tenancy begins. The act highlights the significant legal responsibilities landlords hold, particularly in relation to public resources and access rights.

Contention

While the bill primarily serves to protect tenants, it may raise concerns among landlords who might feel burdened by additional disclosure requirements. Landlords could argue that the need to provide such disclosures adds complexity to the rental process and may affect their operational efficiencies. Moreover, the requirement to inform tenants in case of mortgage delinquency and potential foreclosure adds another layer of responsibility which some landlords might find challenging to manage, particularly in unstable financial conditions.