R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24.2-11
Notwithstanding any lease or other agreement, if the enforcing officer of any city or town, which has adopted the provisions of this chapter, has ordered the repair, alteration, or improvement of a dwelling in that the officer has disclosed the dwelling to be a serious hazard or imminent peril to the health, safety, or welfare of the occupants, then the obligations of paying the rent to the landlord are suspended, and the rent shall be paid into an escrow account established by the enforcing officer to be paid to the landlord or any other party authorized to make repairs (including the enforcing officer) to defray the costs of correcting the conditions, and no action shall be maintained by the landlord against the tenant for the rent or for possession. Sums paid into the escrow fund in excess of those necessary to make repairs shall be paid to the landlord on completion. If the tenant fails to make payments to the enforcing officer then an action for rent or possession may be maintained, subject to any defenses that the tenant may have under the lease or agreement.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24.2-11