From the frontlines at the State House to new partnerships and in-house services, this month is all about action that protects your investment. 

With heated debates around rent control, just cause eviction, and lead laws, Stonelink is showing up—not just to speak, but to lead. We’re pushing for smart policy, building coalitions, and delivering real solutions through our vertically integrated approach

In this issue:

✅ Rhode Island Legislations Update
✅ Lead Law & Rental Registry Reform
✅ Realtor Referral Program
✅ New Alliance with Justice Assistance
✅ Stonelink + : Exclusive Home Services For Residents

Let’s get into it.

🏛️ 7 Grueling Hours at the State House

The recent hearings at the Rhode Island State House were a powerful reminder of just how divided the conversation around housing has become. Impassioned voices on both sides filled the room, and testimony stretched late into the evening — with Stonelink closing out the day 7.5 hours after the session began.

While the debate was well organized and passionate, some of the proposals—like rent control and just cause eviction—may be well-intentioned but lack the logic needed to solve the real issues. This is exactly why our voice, and yours, matters more than ever.

At Stonelink, we’re not showing up to take sides. We’re showing up to build a coalition, to advocate for common-sense policies, and to protect our clients, our industry, and Rhode Island’s housing future.

We were there. We spoke up. And we’ll keep doing it.

On March 19, 2025, the Rhode Island Senate Housing and Municipal Government Committee held hearings addressing landlord and tenant issues

1. Rent Increase Notifications and Tenant Protections:

   • Senate Bill 719 (S0719) proposed increasing the notification period for rent increases and termination of tenancy for month-to-month tenants. This bill aims to provide tenants with more time to adjust to changes in their housing situation.

2. Just Cause Evictions:

   • The "Just Cause Evictions Act" (S0212/H5503) was discussed, seeking to prevent landlords from evicting tenants without valid reasons. It would require landlords to provide specific causes for eviction or non-renewal of leases, such as non-payment of rent or lease violations. The bill also aims to stabilize rents and protect tenants from unjust evictions, addressing Rhode Island's homelessness crisis.

3. Rent Stabilization:

   • Proposals were made to limit annual rent increases to 4% or 1.5 times the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is higher. This measure seeks to balance tenant affordability with landlord rights while avoiding strict rent control policies.

4. Lead Paint Compliance:

   • Landlords raised concerns about Rhode Island’s lead paint laws, which require strict safety standards for properties built before 1978. Many landlords expressed difficulties in meeting compliance deadlines due to financial burdens, inspections, and repairs.

Do You Support Lead Law Safety?

Lead poisoning cases have dropped dramatically. In fact, Rhode Island hit an all-time low in 2023, with just 1.5% of new tests showing elevated levels. But new regulations threaten to derail that progress and create massive cost burdens for both landlords and renters

Here’s the reality:

• Only ~70 lead inspectors are available for 180,000 rental units

• Inspection costs have doubled, with many units needing multiple inspections

• The cost burden passed to renters could reach $15M–$36M/year (not including repairs)

• Banks and insurers are reassessing risk and pulling out of the market

• The registry could expose property owners to cybersecurity and privacy threats

🔵 We’ve made huge progress — now let’s finish the job without breaking the system.

👉 Tell lawmakers to fix what’s broken
Support policies that protect public health and property owners.

A New Partnership. A Shared Commitment

We’re proud to partner with Justice Assistance to manage their newly acquired portfolio of affordable housing properties in Providence, RI.
Recently, we hosted a resident meet & greet — a chance to connect, listen, and build trust from day one. At Stonelink, our hands-on, relationship-driven approach ensures we’re not just managing properties — we’re creating better living experiences while driving performance.

Introducing Stonelink+ — A Smarter Way to Protect Your Investment

At Stonelink, we believe better property management starts with better service for your residents. That’s why we created Stonelink+, our in-house home service platform that gives residents easy access to affordable, on-demand services like:

• TV mounting

• Furniture assembly

• Minor repairs

• Picture hanging

• And more

What does this mean for you as an investor?

✔️ Happier residents who stay longer
✔️ Protecting the asset - our qualified technicians perform these tasks
✔️ Minimizing property damage - lower turnover cost
✔️ Bringing added value to residents - they don’t only see us a rent collector

This isn’t just about convenience — it’s about preserving your ROI. By keeping services in-house with trusted technicians and a streamlined system, we reduce delays, cut costs, and protect the value of your assets.

Contact us

The real estate game is an ever-changing landscape, but opportunities are out there if you know where to look and equally important know who to ask when help is needed. Stay ahead of policy changes, cut unnecessary costs, and run your properties like a business—that’s how you win.

 📩 Let’s Talk – If you want to strategize your next move, call us at 401-223-2838 or talk to our team.

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