RI Budget Includes New/Increased Real Estate Taxes

Moving forward, property owners should take note of new taxes introduced in the recently passed RI FY 2026 budget that impact residential real estate. Whether homeowners are offering short-term vacation rentals, selling your home, or own a non-owner-occupied second property valued over $1 million, new or increased taxes will become a part of their ongoing expenses.

“Just Cause” Eviction Legislation Defeated

The Rhode Island Association of REALTORS helped to defeat “just cause” legislation that would have abolished a landlord’s existing right to terminate any of the following for any reason:  a month-to-month tenancy; a tenancy after a lease expires; or an unwritten rental agreement. 

If this legislation had passed, it would have prevented landlords from evicting tenants unless the landlord could document that the eviction was for an acceptable purpose as defined in the legislation...

Multiple Rent Control Bills Defeated

The Rhode Island Association of REALTORS® helped to defeat several bills that would have imposed rent control on residential rental properties.  Rent control has been a failure in Massachusetts and other parts of the country because it discourages production of new rental housing and makes it difficult for landlords to afford repairs and improvements.  Since rent control is not needs tested, it benefits high income earners as well as low income earners. 

New Requirements Re: Public Parking Restrictions Near CRMC Shoreline Access

As of June 27, 2025, a new law,  Chapters 257 and 265,  affects towns, cities, private organizations, and private property owners who wish to reduce or eliminate parking near a Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) designated public right of water to the shoreline. These entities must file a plan that will be reviewed by CRMC and the Rhode Island Department of Environment Management (DEM).