STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS DISTRICT COURT ANSWER DEFENDANT/TENANT Civil Action File Number Plaintiff/Landlord Attorney for the Plaintiff/Landlord or the Plaintiff/Landlord Defendant/Tenant Address of the Plaintiff/Landlord's Attorney or the Plaintiff/Landlord Attorney for the Defendant/Tenant or the Defendant/Tenant Address of the Defendant/Tenant's Attorney or the Defendant/Tenant Murray Judicial Complex 2nd Division District Court 45 Washington Square Newport, Rhode Island 02840-2913 (401) 841-8350 McGrath Judicial Complex 4th Division District Court 4800 Tower Hill Road Wakefield, Rhode Island 02879-2239 (401) 782-4131 Noel Judicial Complex 3rd Division District Court 222 Quaker Lane Warwick, Rhode Island 02886-0107 (401) 822-6750 Garrahy Judicial Complex 6th Division District Court One Dorrance Plaza Providence, Rhode Island 02903-2719 (401) 458-5400 INSTRUCTIONS TO THE DEFENDANT/TENANT Listed below are several possible defenses to the eviction action that the Plaintiff/Landlord has filed against you. If one or more of these defenses apply to your case, check the appropriate box(es). If space is provided, write in facts in support of that defense. Use additional paper if necessary. Some of these defenses are technical and there may be others not listed here. You may consult a lawyer and seek representation before filling out this Answer. DC-53 (revised November 2014) Page 1 of 4 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS DISTRICT COURT DEFENDANT/TENANT'S ANSWER The complaint against me is untrue or fails to state the following facts: ______________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ I have offered rent, but the Plaintiff/Landlord refused it. I am still able and willing to pay the rent. I have a defense for nonpayment because the Plaintiff/Landlord has failed to maintain the premises in a fit and habitable condition. My rent has not been paid, but I have a legally justifiable defense for not paying: ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ I have a written lease which does not expire until _______________________________. I have not received the required notice from the Plaintiff/Landlord before this Complaint was served on me. The Plaintiff/Landlord is trying to evict me because I have exercised my legal rights by calling code enforcement officials or by taking the following protected action: ______________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________. I have other defenses as follows: _____________________________________________ ________________________________________________________. WHEREFORE, because of the defense(s) indicated above, I ask that the court to grant judgment in my favor and not order me to be evicted. COUNTERCLAIM Instructions: If you believe that you are entitled to be awarded damages or money for any reason from the Plaintiff/Landlord, you may fill out the statement below: 1. I hereby sue the Plaintiff/Landlord for the amount of $___________________________. DC-53 (revised November 2014) Page 2 of 4 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS DISTRICT COURT 2. I believe that I am entitled to receive an award of this amount because _______________ ______________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________. /s/ _____________________________________________________________ Attorney for the Defendant/Tenant or the Defendant/Tenant Telephone Number: Rhode Island Bar Number: Date: CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that, on the ______ day of _____________________, 20____: I filed and served this document through the electronic filing system on the following parties: _____________________________________________________________________________. The document electronically filed and served is available for viewing and/or downloading from the Rhode Island Judiciary's Electronic Filing System. I served this document through the electronic filing system on the following parties: _____________________________________________________________________________. The document electronically served is available for viewing and/or downloading from the Rhode Island Judiciary's Electronic Filing System. I mailed or hand-delivered this document to the attorney for the opposing party and/or the opposing party if self-represented, whose name is __________________________________ at the following address _________________________________________________________. /s/ ___________________________________ Name DC-53 (revised November 2014) Page 3 of 4 American LegalNet, Inc. www.FormsWorkFlow.com STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS DISTRICT COURT ANSWER DEFENDANT/TENANT Plaintiff Civil Action File Number Defendant Continuation page if needed. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________