Automatic renewal rules in Rhode Island

We read R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13-14 on the state's official site and list what it requires below. A summary leaves out detail; the linked text is the authority.

The key phrases, copied from the official text:

• “shall give written notice to the lessee not more than ninety (90) nor less than forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of the lease term” (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13-14(b))
• “In the event that the lessor fails to give notice as required by subsection (b) of this section, the automatic lease renewal shall be voidable at the option of the lessee.” (R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13-14(c))
• “If you wish to cancel this contract, you may cancel in person, by electronic mail, or by mail to the seller.” (R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-50-4(b)(2))

The cancellation route differs by company; see Rentals and leasing, Gym memberships and Planet Fitness for the details we hold.

1. 1

   Check how you signed up

   Look up the sign-up confirmation and the renewal date. Your contract sets the method unless the sector law above says otherwise.

2. 2

   Cancel the way the law allows

   A lessee stops an automatic lease renewal by giving the lessor written notice to the contrary. A health club contract can be cancelled in writing in person, by email or by mail before midnight of the 10th business day after signing. Keep whatever confirmation the business gives you.

3. 3

   Put it in writing as well

   R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13-14 covers only personal property leases and health club contracts, so cite it only if your contract is one of them. Write to the business, cite R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-13-14 and ask for written confirmation. You can build the letter with the free letter template.

4. 4

   If the charges continue

   Reply with your proof and the citation, ask for a refund, and if that fails, dispute the charge with your bank. See what to do when a company keeps charging you.

Outside personal property leases and health club contracts, Rhode Island law sets no special cancellation route, so your contract's terms apply. A letter sent with tracking adds what an online click often lacks: a dated, third-party record that you asked to cancel, which card issuers and state consumer offices can check.

Certified mail for cancellations explains what each delivery record proves.

The federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act requires online sellers using automatic renewals to provide simple mechanisms to stop recurring charges. The FTC's 2024 click-to-cancel amendments are not in force: on July 8, 2025 the Eighth Circuit vacated them (Custom Communications, Inc. v. FTC, No. 24-3137), on February 12, 2026, in a rule effective that day, the FTC recodified its Negative Option Rule "as it existed before the effective date" of the 2024 amendments (91 FR 6507), and on March 13, 2026 it asked for public comment on "the need for amendments" (91 FR 12318). Our state-by-state overview and the FTC click-to-cancel guide have the details.