Short answer. Cases go to the District Court. In a nonpayment case the tenant may file an answer at the hearing itself; missing the call of the case can lose it. Who carries out a lockout: sheriff or constable.
At a glance
- Court
- District Court. Evictions are heard in the District Court.
"District Court Landlord/Tenant Evictions"
Source 1 - Hearing after filing
- In a nonpayment case the hearing is 14 to 21 days after filing.
"fourteen (14) to twenty-one (21) days from the filing of an eviction for non-payment of rent"
Source 1 - Time to answer or appear
- In a nonpayment case the tenant may file an answer at the hearing itself; missing the call of the case can lose it.
"may file an Answer in nonpayment of rent evictions at the time of the hearing itself."
Source 2 - Judgment to writ
- If no appeal is taken, the landlord may seek the writ of execution on the 6th day.
"on the 6th day, the landlord may seek a 'Writ of Execution' from the Court."
Source 2 - Who carries out the lockout
- Sheriff or constable. The writ lets a sheriff or constable regain possession.
"allows a sheriff or constable to come to the rental unit and regain possession of the premises."
Source 2 - Paying to stop the case
- The first time a tenant falls behind, paying all rent owed plus court costs at the hearing avoids eviction; after a 5-day demand letter in the prior 6 months the landlord may refuse.
"the right to avoid eviction by paying the entire amount of rent owed, plus court costs, at the time of the eviction hearing."
Source 2 - Right to counsel (statewide)
- No statewide right to counsel for tenants in eviction cases (as of November 2026, per the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel): its tracker of enacted laws lists no statewide law here.
"An eviction right to counsel is created by an enacted law that, at a minimum:"
Source 3, National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel (secondary source)
Sample timeline: filed Monday, December 7, 2026
Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer.
Need the other side served? Process serving with an affidavit of service.
- Answer or appear: Monday, December 21, 2026
- Hearing or trial: Monday, December 21, 2026
- Judgment: Monday, December 21, 2026
- Writ or warrant of possession: Sunday, December 27, 2026
- Earliest lockout: no date (Not confirmed on an official page)
Another date: open the estimator.
Want us to handle it?
A runner files your papers in person at the clerk's window and sends you a scan of the stamped copy. We file what you prepared; we don't give legal advice.
Price: Outside New Jersey it goes through our contractor network: quote-based, confirmed before any work starts, and booked once a local contractor accepts. In New Jersey it is from $75 per filing, court fees at cost. Starting rates. Your exact price is quoted after we confirm a local notary/runner, before you pay.
Help the official pages point to
- The first time a tenant falls behind, paying all rent owed plus court costs at the hearing avoids eviction; after a 5-day demand letter in the prior 6 months the landlord may refuse.
- Rhode Island Legal Services, (401) 274-2652 (source 1)
Not stated on the pages we read: filing fee, writ to lockout, diversion or mediation (statewide).
Sources
- Rhode Island Judiciary: District Court Landlord/Tenant Evictions FAQ (checked November 2026)
- Rhode Island General Assembly (commission documents): Updated RI Landlord Tenant Handbook (September 2024 draft) (checked November 2026)
- National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel (secondary source): National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel: Enacted Eviction Right to Counsel and Eviction Defense Programs (last modified November 2026) (checked November 2026)
Sourced from official pages; a few facts from vetted secondary sources, marked "(secondary source)".
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Not a court form. Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer.
Common questions
Which court hears eviction cases in Rhode Island?
District Court. Evictions are heard in the District Court.
How long does a tenant in Rhode Island have to respond?
In a nonpayment case the tenant may file an answer at the hearing itself; missing the call of the case can lose it.
How soon after filing is the Rhode Island hearing?
In a nonpayment case the hearing is 14 to 21 days after filing. That's the statute's window; the court's own calendar decides the actual date.
When can a Rhode Island landlord get the writ after winning?
If no appeal is taken, the landlord may seek the writ of execution on the 6th day.
Who carries out an eviction in Rhode Island?
Sheriff or constable. The writ lets a sheriff or constable regain possession. The officer acts on the court's order.
Can paying the rent stop a Rhode Island eviction case?
The first time a tenant falls behind, paying all rent owed plus court costs at the hearing avoids eviction; after a 5-day demand letter in the prior 6 months the landlord may refuse.
Notice step: notice periods · Deposit step: deposit rules · All states: eviction process by state · Pennsylvania · South Carolina