Rules about raising market rent on long term tenant Providence RI

[Tina Rubin]

Scenario: Tenants who have been living in a unit for 10 years and paying $1K and the identical unit is renting for $1800. The tenants are month to month with no lease. Wondering the best approach to raise them to market rents. Looking for specific advise for this location. After initial RI Tenant Laws review, didn't see anything called out either way. Would like advice on how others successfully managed a similar situation. 

[Nathan Gesner]

§ 34-18-16.1. Rent increases — Notice requirements.

(a) Prior to an increase in rent being imposed by a landlord for a residential tenancy, notice of the increase shall be given in writing to any tenant by a landlord at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of the increase.

(b) A landlord must give sixty (60) days notice to month to month tenants over the age of sixty-two (62), before raising the rent.

Personally, I would give your tenant notice on termination. Clean the place up and rent it at market rate. It would be very hard for your tenant to afford almost doubling their rent, so you're just asking for trouble by trying to keep them there. I would give them notice they have 60 days to be out so they have time to find something. If they insisted on staying, I would require them to show verifiable proof that they can afford $1,800 and I would increase the security deposit to match.