District Court Landlord/Tenant Evictions

Frequently Asked Questions
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    Do I need an attorney?
    If you are a corporation, you will need to be represented by an attorney. If you are a property manager and not the owner of the property, you should speak with an attorney before filing your case or coming to court. If you are a self-represented plaintiff you will need to understand what is required of you at the time of your hearing. The clerk’s office is prohibited by law from giving legal advice.​
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    Will I know when my court date is?
    The Clerk’s Office will assign a hearing date fourteen (14) to twenty-one (21) days from the filing of an eviction for non-payment of rent. Other evictions have hearing dates depending upon the type of eviction you are filing.​
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    What do I need to bring to the hearing?
    You will be required to bring all documents or other evidence to support your case to the court on the hearing date. Failure to do so may result in an adverse decision against you, or having the case continued.​
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    What happens after I get judgment for possession?
    You cannot act against your tenant for five (5) calendar days including Saturday, Sunday and holidays after the day of your hearing. This is an appeal period for the tenant. You may call the Clerk’s Office after the appeal period is over to see if the tenant appealed. If no appeal was filed, you can then obtain the execution to obtain possession of the property upon payment of the fees. If back rent is due, you are required to follow procedures within the legal limit of the law to collect this debt.​
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    As the tenant, how do I appeal the decision?
    If you are the tenant and you want to file an appeal, you have five (5) calendar including Saturday, Sunday, and holidays after the date of your hearing to appeal the case to Superior Court. While the case is under appeal, you must continue to pay rent as the rent becomes due. If you fail to do so, your appeal may be dismissed in the Superior Court. You should contact Rhode Island Legal Services at (401) 274-2652 for more information.​