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HB 7658

AN ACT RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- HOUSING MAINTENANCE AND OCCUPANCY CODE -- NOTICE OF VIOLATIONS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Cherie Cruz and 9 co-sponsors

Standardizes municipal notice procedures for housing code violations in Rhode Island, requiring clearer communication with property owners before enforcement actions commence.

03/17/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · HB 7658

Legislative bill overview

HB 7658 modifies Rhode Island's housing maintenance and occupancy code procedures by establishing new requirements for how municipalities must notify property owners of code violations. The bill appears to standardize notice procedures across towns and cities to ensure property owners receive adequate warning of violations before enforcement actions proceed.

Why is this important

Housing code enforcement directly affects tenant safety and housing quality, while also impacting property owners' rights and responsibilities. Clear, uniform notice procedures protect both residents living in substandard conditions and owners who need fair opportunity to remedy violations before facing penalties or legal action.

Potential points of contention

  • Compliance burden on municipalities: Stricter notice requirements may increase administrative costs for towns and cities already stretched thin with limited housing inspection resources
  • Enforcement effectiveness: Enhanced notice procedures could delay necessary remediation of unsafe housing conditions if property owners exploit extended timelines or fail to respond
  • Property owner protections vs. tenant advocacy: Stakeholders may disagree on whether the bill sufficiently protects vulnerable tenants versus providing excessive procedural advantages to negligent landlords

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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