Source: http://highconstable.com/resources/ri/rules/landlord_tenant_eviction.php
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 11:51:45+00:00

Document:
Landlord-Tenant matters are specially placed within the jurisdiction of the District Court. R.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-3(a)(2). A comprehensive procedure for handling of such cases has been set out in Chapter 18 of Title 34 of the General Laws. The procedure to be followed is different depending on the reason for the action.
A special summons is mandated by law for such actions. At the time of the filing, the clerk must mail a copy of the summons, a copy of the complaint and a blank answer to the defendant by first class mail. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-10(a).
The original summons (with proof of service made thereupon) shall be returned to the court. Service must be made no less than five (5) days before the hearing. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-10(a).
If the action is one for a reason other than non-payment of rent, the service of the summons is made pursuant to Rule 4 of the District Court Rules of Civil Procedure. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-10(b)(2).
by serving an agent for process if one has been designated. Such designation will be on file in the office of the secretary of state.
If no designation has been made, process may be made on the secretary of state. However, such service is not effective until a copy of the process has been mailed to the defendant at his last reasonably ascertainable address by certified or registered mail. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-10(c).
The execution in landlord-tenant cases is the eviction. The following procedure must be followed with caution! An execution may be issued (if no appeal is taken) on the sixth (6th) day following judgment. It must be executed within five (5) days. If not, the constable shall appear before the court on the next session to show cause why the execution has not been made. Reasonable costs incurred by the constable in carrying out the execution may be added to the execution by the clerk on approval of the court (upon presentment of evidence of such costs). R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-48.
Payment of moving costs required. ñ Whenever the personal property of any tenant is removed from the premises the tenant occupies by mandate of an execution from the court of competent jurisdiction, the tenant shall pay the entire amount of the cost of moving the personal property and any prepaid storage charges to the sheriff, constable, or other person who lawfully caused the personal property to be so moved before the personal property can be released to the tenant by the person, firm, partnership, company, association, or corporation having lawful possession of the property. Further, the sheriff, constable, or other person who lawfully caused the personal property to be so moved shall prepare and deliver a release in writing stating that the costs of moving and any prepaid storage charges have been paid in full and authorizing the release of the personal property to the tenant. This amount shall be paid to the landlord as reimbursement for the costs of removing the personal property.
The plaintiff shall deliver the original summons and a copy thereof, together with a copy of the complaint and a blank answer form to the sheriff or any constable of the county in which the appropriate court is located.
Executions shall be issued only to the sheriff or constable of the county where the premises are situated.
For cause shown the justice of the district court may issue a special order providing for the method of service of process upon the defendant. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18.1-9(b)(2).
An answer must be filed within seven (7) days of service R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18.1-9(b)(3). The hearing is on the next day following the seventh day. Id.
Executions are issued to a constable of the county where the premises are situated. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18.1-9(b)(6). The mandates of the execution must be performed within twenty (20) days. Id. Cost of the execution, including reasonable moving costs incurred by the constable, may be added to the execution by the clerk upon approval of the court upon presentation of evidence. R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18.1-9(b)(7).
There is no specific statutory procedure for eviction for reasons other than non-payment of rent.
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