RELATING TO PROPERTY -- RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT
Summary
H7764 amends Rhode Island’s Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to prohibit landlords, property owners, property managers, agents, or anyone acting on their behalf from using certain algorithmic tools to set residential rent. The bill defines an “algorithmic device” broadly to include software or models using algorithms, machine learning, or artificial intelligence to analyze rental market data for the purpose of advising, recommending, or determining rent, when the tool relies on nonpublic competitor data. It also bars the use of such tools to determine rent changes for lease renewals or existing tenants.
The bill includes several exemptions. It does not restrict rent or income limits used in government housing programs, historical aggregate market reporting that does not make individualized rent recommendations, or bona fide internal accounting or record-keeping systems that do not influence rent-setting. The measure would take effect immediately upon passage, but the substantive prohibition would begin January 1, 2027.
Impact
If enacted, the bill would add a new section to chapter 34-18 of the General Laws and make prohibited algorithmic rent-setting an unfair or deceptive act or practice under Rhode Island’s deceptive trade practices law. That would allow enforcement by the attorney general and by any aggrieved person, with available remedies including equitable relief and civil penalties. The attorney general would also be authorized to issue regulations to implement the law, including rules on definitions, exemptions, recordkeeping, and compliance.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes, the available record suggests a policy aimed at limiting rent-setting practices viewed as opaque or anti-competitive. The bill’s framing indicates concern about landlords relying on AI or data-driven pricing systems that use nonpublic market information. No formal vote history or transcript is provided, so there is no documented legislative sentiment beyond the bill’s stated consumer-protection purpose.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely to be whether algorithmic rent tools improve efficiency and market responsiveness or instead facilitate coordinated pricing and higher rents. Supporters would likely emphasize tenant protection, transparency, and preventing the use of proprietary competitor data to inflate rents. Opponents may argue the bill is overbroad, could restrict legitimate analytics and property management tools, and may be difficult to enforce because of the line between prohibited pricing algorithms and permitted reporting or accounting systems.
Requires landlords of residential properties built before 1978 to register lead hazard mitigation information with the department of health and the information would be private and only accessible by specific entities.
Requires landlords of residential properties built before 1978 to register lead hazard mitigation information with the department of health and the information would be private and only accessible by specific entities.
Defines squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the unit and provides remedies for property owner including police assistance to remove a squatter.
Defines squatter as a person occupying a dwelling unit who is not authorized by the property owner, landlord or tenant to occupy the unit and provides remedies for property owner including police assistance to remove a squatter.
Prohibits a landlord from inquiring about the immigration status of a tenant subject to any federal laws or regulations, but may request financial information.