§ 45-24.2-11 - Rent payments. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 45-24.2-11

   § 45-24.2-11  Rent payments. – Notwithstanding any lease or other agreement, if the enforcing officer of anycity or town, which has adopted the provisions of this chapter, has ordered therepair, alteration, or improvement of a dwelling in that the officer hasdisclosed the dwelling to be a serious hazard or imminent peril to the health,safety, or welfare of the occupants, then the obligations of paying the rent tothe landlord are suspended, and the rent shall be paid into an escrow accountestablished by the enforcing officer to be paid to the landlord or any otherparty authorized to make repairs (including the enforcing officer) to defraythe costs of correcting the conditions, and no action shall be maintained bythe landlord against the tenant for the rent or for possession. Sums paid intothe escrow fund in excess of those necessary to make repairs shall be paid tothe landlord on completion. If the tenant fails to make payments to theenforcing officer then an action for rent or possession may be maintained,subject to any defenses that the tenant may have under the lease or agreement.