On June 23, the Pawtucket City Council voted 5 - 3 to balance the city budget on the backs of landlords and tenants by supporting a brand new rental fee every year. If this ordinance becomes final, owners of rental housing - including Pawtucket residents - must file a registration form and pay a fee of $100 per rental unit per year - unless the owner lives in the property.  This fee is per unit, so if you own a 3-family, Pawtucket would force you to pay $300 per year.  

Who must pay this new fee?

Owners of residential rental property who do not live in the property.

Some claim that this new fee will not apply to affordable housing owned by non-profits or to rental properties of 6 units and above that are classified as commercial properties for property tax purposes.  Ask them to show you a written exemption.

What happens if I forget to file a registration form or pay these fees every year?

The rent abates.  This means that it will be illegal for you to rent your property, collect rent or evict a tenant for non-payment of rent until you have paid the fees and filed a new form.

Misdemeanor fines - $100 maximum for a first offense  - $500 maximum for additional offenses

$10 per month late fee

A lien against your property for unpaid fees after 30 days.  

The proposed ordinance would no longer require the city to send notices to landlords.

What can I do to stop this?

Call Mayor Doyle and the City Council and tell them that you oppose the $100 per year rental fee.

Call Mayor Doyle at 401-728-0500 ext. 281.

 Contact the City Council:  Click below for a link to phone numbers and email