I had planned to rent an apt in RI that I set up while living in CA. The landlord did not want to send me a copy of the rental agreement before I showed up even though I requested it.

So I show up in RI and meet the landlord and he informed me at that time it is a year lease. He never mentioned it being a lease before. I signed it because I did not want to be homeless with my dog after driving across the US.

I have only lived here for 2 weeks and I have several problems:
-electricity co will not transfer the account to me because there is an outstanding balance from previous tenants that landlord will not take care of. They are going to turn off the power this week.
-there is a lot of poison ivy out front that I have requested he remove. He cut it all up and left it all over the lawn (the poisonous oils stay active for years even after being cut)
-the entire bottom floor and entrance does not have working electricity

My landlord recently contacted me letting me know that I did not sign the lease, (I signed the addendum about taking out the trash cans on the following page) and he requested I sign it and mail it to him.

Can I move out? Will this be considered breaking the lease?

I have a almost identical situation (but in GA) so any answers would be greatly appreciated. (((Dark, sorry I don't have an answer for you)))

Can you, well to be honest it will be up to a judge, he will claim that you signing the one, shows intent to sign, and the fact you moved in, shows you acted on the lease, at least verbally.

I think since you did not actually sign the lease, you should be able to get out with a months notice

So the landlord will consider it a break in the lease, and he will then sue you in court to get his unpaid rental. You can expect this to happen. After that it will be up to the judge on how it is viewed.

The electric is one good issue, since you can not live there unless you have electric. They can't deny you electric if the other party is moved out, but without electric it would not be livable.