Opinion ID: 1975766
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Deceptive Trade Practice

Text: To support a claim under G.L. 1956 chapter 13.1 of title 6, the Unfair Trade Practice and Consumer Protection Act (Act), a plaintiff must establish that he or she is a consumer, and that defendant is committing or has committed an unfair or deceptive act while engaged in a business of trade or commerce. After reviewing the record, we are satisfied that plaintiff is not a consumer entitled to protection under the Act. Kelley leased an apartment from defendant. While living in the apartment, plaintiff contacted the defendant and requested that it repair or replace the deteriorating kitchen floor. Soon thereafter, defendant contracted to have the old tile removed and new tile installed. The role of the respective parties in this case cannot reasonably be construed to establish a consumer/vendor relationship necessary to invoke the Act. Save for the lease, the parties did not enter into any contractual relationship concerning the repair of the floor. Kelley did not contract with Cowesett Hills for the work and no consideration was exchanged. A tenant's request that his or her landlord make repairs to her apartment does not elevate the tenant to the status of a consumer entitled to a remedyunder the Act. Rather, a tenant may have an action for breach of a lease covenant if the work was negligently performed. Pursuant to the facts of this case, we are satisfied that plaintiff was not a consumer, nor is she entitled to a remedy under the Act. Further, in interpreting § 6-13.1-4, entitled Exemptions, [10] this Court has previously held that the Act expressly sets forth an exemption for all activities and businesses that are subject to monitoring by state and federal regulatory bodies or officers. See Doyle v. Chihoski, 443 A.2d 1243 (R.I.1982); State v. Piedmont Funding Corp., 119 R.I. 695, 382 A.2d 819 (1978). The removal of asbestos is governed by G.L. 1956 chapter 24.5 of title 23, Asbestos Abatement Act (Asbestos Act). Thus, pursuant to § 6-13.1-4, the Asbestos Act preempts the action filed by plaintiff in this case. The plaintiff is not therefore entitled to a remedy under § 6-13.1-2. Accordingly, we are of the opinion that the trial justice properly granted defendant's motion for summary judgment.