Which aspect of a lease agreement might be required to be recorded by state law?

In many states, including Rhode Island, certain documents associated with real estate transactions must be recorded to provide public notice of their existence. The recording of the lease is particularly significant as it officially establishes the rights and obligations of the parties involved against third parties. When a lease is recorded, it protects the tenant's right to possess the property by giving public notice of their interest, which can prevent landlords from leasing the same property to another party.

Recording a lease can also be beneficial in situations where there's a dispute about who has the right to occupy the premises or when the property changes ownership. If a lease is not recorded, it may be difficult for a tenant to verify their tenancy or claim rights against subsequent buyers or lenders who may not be aware of the lease's existence.

On the other hand, details such as security deposit amounts, descriptions of the premises, and limitations on use, while important to the lease agreement, do not generally need to be recorded under state law. They serve more as terms of the contract between landlord and tenant rather than creating a public claim or interest in the property itself. Therefore, the recording of the lease stands out as a critical action required by law to ensure tenant rights are upheld publicly.