Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)
EOHHS has important information on Medicaid redetermination (renewal or recertification for Medicaid) for residents receiving Medicaid. Here are links to help you inform your residents:
A number of bills impacting landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities were passed during the 2023 General Assembly session. For your information, below is a brief overview of some of those bills including links to the bill text. Please feel free to contact Abeer Khatana at akhatana@rihousing.com with any questions.
Lead safety
Lead Water Supply Replacement Program (5007A/S2B): This bill primarily focuses on a program to replace water service lines that contain lead, but also requires disclosure to tenants and buyers of real property of the presence of lead service lines. Effective date: This legislation takes effect upon passage.
Lead Hazard Mitigation on Pre-1978 Dwellings (H5946A/S656A): Requires owner occupants of pre-1978, 2-3 unit properties to comply with the state’s lead law. Effective date: This legislation will take effect on January 1, 2024.
Lead Related Escrow Account (H6238A/S729Aa): Establishes an escrow account for tenants to deposit their rent whenever the leased property is not compliant with the lead hazard risk reduction provisions in state law. Effective date: This legislation takes effect upon passage.
Certification of Lead Compliance (H6239A/S804Aa): Requires landlords to register certain property identifying information on a statewide registry managed by the Department of Health and for pre-1978 properties, provide a valid certificate of conformance with the lead hazard mitigation act. Landlords would be prohibited from evicting tenants for nonpayment if they are not in compliance with this section. Effective date: This legislation takes effect upon passage, with compliance with registry requirements by October 1, 2024.
Landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities
Prohibiting Application Fees (H6087Aa/311A): Prohibits landlords from charging an application fee. Landlords may not charge tenants for required background or credit checks if provided by tenant within 90 days of application. Otherwise, landlord may charge only the cost for securing the background and credit check and must provide the reports to the applicant. Effective date: This legislation is effective January 1, 2024.
Sealing of Residential Eviction Court Files (H6323Aa/S912Aaa): Provides for the sealing of court files in residential eviction proceedings upon motion filed at least 30 days after the expiration of the appeal period following the conclusion of the civil action. A court can grant the motion to seal the record if the civil action was dismissed due to a motion to dismiss, the action was resolved by stipulation and the terms of stipulation have been satisfied, any monetary judgement against the moving party has been satisfied, or the action has been dismissed for lack of prosecution after a five year period. Parties are limited to one request every five years. Effective date: This legislation takes effect January 1, 2024.
Landlord resources
Landlord/Tenant Law Consumer Guide (H5204A/S305A): Requires the Secretary of Housing to create a written, consumer guide of landlord-tenant laws to be updated biennially. The guide will be published on the Department of Housing website and needs to be made available in both English and Spanish. Effective date: This legislation takes effect January 1, 2024.
Helpful Tips and Tricks
Emergency Preparedness
Hurricane season is fast approaching! Is your property ready? Do your tenants know what to do?
Why should you know the IRS 2023 Standard Mileage Rate?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues the standard mileage rates that are used to calculate the deductible costs of operating a vehicle for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes. See Announcement 2022-234which lists the rates.
Why do you need to be familiar with the rates? For the purpose of calculating income when the family member is self-employed, or has medical expenses, or is claiming it as a legitimate expense, to name a few reasons. In affordable housing, these rates become a factor when calculating net income from some businesses such as Uber, Lyft, or Grubhub driver, or when calculating medical expense deductions for mileage to and from medical appointments.
The housing industry has seen an increase in claimed income sources such as vehicle-related self-employment where mileage expenses are involved.
News from NAHMA: Communities of Quality National Recognition Program
NAHMA's Communities of Quality (COQ) National Recognition Program is a certification program that recognizes properties owners and managers who provide high quality, affordable multifamily rental housing.
Property management companies may apply for the COQ National Recognition at any time. Applications are judged based on criteria such as inspections, financial management, programs and services for residents and other categories.
Learn more about the application process and how to apply on the NAHMA website.
To provide suggestions for information you would you like to see in future Property Matters E-News, please email Kathy Millerick at kmillerick@rihousing.com.
RIHousing, 44 Washington Street, Providence, RI 02903
