# R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-2: Purposes €” Rules of construction

> Rhode Island · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-2

## Section

- **Citation:** R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-2
- **Heading:** Purposes €” Rules of construction
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** RI Code / Title 34 / Chapter 34-18 / Section 34-18-2

## Text

(a) This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies.

(b) Underlying purposes and policies of this chapter are to:

(1) Simplify, clarify, modernize and revise the law governing the rental of dwelling units and the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants;

(2) Encourage landlords and tenants to maintain and improve the quality and availability of housing;

(3) Make more uniform the law relating to residential landlord and tenant relations in those respects in which this chapter follows the €œUniform Residential Landlord €” Tenant Act€.

## Nearby sections

- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-1 § 34-18-1. Short title.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-2 § 34-18-2. Purposes €” Rules of construction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-3 § 34-18-3. Supplementary principles of law applicable.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-4 § 34-18-4. Construction against implicit repeal.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-4.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-5 § 34-18-5. Administration of remedies €” Enforcement.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-5.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-6 § 34-18-6. Temporary restraining orders €” Ex parte proceedings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-6.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-7 § 34-18-7. Application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-7.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-8 § 34-18-8. Exclusions from application of chapter.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-8.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-9 § 34-18-9. Jurisdiction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-9.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-10 § 34-18-10. Service of process for actions pursuant to chapter.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-10.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-11 § 34-18-11. Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-11.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-12 § 34-18-12. Obligation of good faith.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-12.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-13 § 34-18-13. Unconscionability.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-13.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-18-14 § 34-18-14. Notice.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-14.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T34_C34-18_S34-18-2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.