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Acushnet is a small town in Bristol County in southeastern Massachusetts, situated near New Bedford. While Acushnet's rental market is modest in scale compared to larger Massachusetts cities, renters here are fully protected by Massachusetts state law — widely regarded as among the most tenant-protective statutory frameworks in the United States.
The questions Acushnet renters most commonly have involve security deposit rules, what notice a landlord must give before ending a tenancy, and what options exist when a landlord fails to maintain safe and habitable conditions. Massachusetts law provides clear, enforceable answers to all of these questions, and tenants who understand their rights are better positioned to protect themselves.
This guide is intended to be informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change and individual circumstances vary — if you face an eviction or serious housing dispute, contact a qualified attorney or legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Acushnet has no rent control ordinance, and there is no cap on how much a landlord can increase rent between lease terms or upon lease renewal. Landlords in Acushnet may raise rent by any amount, provided they give the legally required advance notice before the change takes effect.
Massachusetts had local rent control in Cambridge, Boston, and Brookline until November 1994, when statewide voters passed Ballot Question 9, which prohibited any city or town in the Commonwealth from enacting or maintaining rent control ordinances. That ban remained in force for over two decades. In 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature passed St. 2020, Ch. 358, which repealed the 1994 preemption and technically restored the authority of municipalities to adopt rent stabilization measures — but as of April 2026, no Massachusetts municipality has enacted a new rent control ordinance, including Acushnet.
In practical terms, this means your landlord can raise your rent to any amount at the end of a lease term or with proper notice on a month-to-month tenancy. Tenants in Acushnet should be aware that the only enforceable limits on rent increases are procedural — the landlord must give adequate written notice — rather than substantive price caps.
Massachusetts provides a robust set of tenant protections that apply in full to Acushnet renters. The key protections are summarized below.
Security Deposit (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B): Massachusetts caps security deposits at one month's rent and imposes strict procedural requirements on landlords who collect them. The deposit must be held in a separate, interest-bearing account at a Massachusetts bank, and the tenant must receive a receipt identifying the bank and account number. Upon move-out, the landlord must return the deposit (plus accrued interest) within 30 days, along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions. Failure to comply can expose the landlord to treble damages, court costs, and attorney's fees.
Habitability and the State Sanitary Code (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L; 105 CMR 410): Every residential rental unit in Massachusetts must meet the minimum standards of the State Sanitary Code, which covers heat (at least 68°F from September 16 through June 14), hot water, structural soundness, pest control, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and more. If a landlord fails to maintain habitable conditions, tenants may report violations to Acushnet's local Board of Health, which can inspect and order repairs. In serious cases, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, repair-and-deduct up to four months' rent, or terminate the lease under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L.
Notice to Terminate Tenancy (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): A landlord must give a month-to-month tenant at least 30 days' written notice to terminate the tenancy, and that notice must expire at the end of a rental period. Similarly, a tenant who wishes to vacate must give the landlord the same 30-day written notice. Fixed-term leases expire by their own terms; no separate notice is generally required unless the lease specifies otherwise.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants for exercising legal rights — such as reporting code violations, contacting a housing inspector, organizing with other tenants, or withholding rent under the repair-and-deduct remedy. Any rent increase, reduction in services, or eviction proceeding commenced within six months of a tenant's protected activity is presumed retaliatory under Massachusetts law, and the burden shifts to the landlord to prove a legitimate, non-retaliatory reason.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): Self-help eviction is illegal in Massachusetts. A landlord may not remove a tenant's belongings, change the locks, or deliberately interrupt utilities — including heat, electricity, gas, or water — in order to force a tenant to leave. A tenant subjected to these tactics may sue for actual damages or three months' rent, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees, without having to vacate the premises.
Anti-Discrimination (M.G.L. c. 151B): Massachusetts law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, military or veteran status, and source of income (including Section 8 vouchers). Tenants who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).
Massachusetts has some of the strictest security deposit rules in the nation, and they apply in full to rentals in Acushnet. The governing statute is M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.
Cap: A landlord may not collect a security deposit greater than one month's rent. In addition to the security deposit, a landlord may collect the first month's rent, last month's rent, and the cost of a new key or lock — nothing more.
Holding Requirements: The security deposit must be deposited within 30 days into a separate, interest-bearing account at a Massachusetts bank. The landlord must provide the tenant with a written receipt stating the bank's name and address, the account number, and the amount deposited. The landlord must also provide an annual statement of interest earned.
Move-In Condition Statement: At or before the start of the tenancy, the landlord must provide a written statement describing the condition of the unit. If the tenant disagrees with the statement, they have 15 days to note any additional damage in writing. This document is critical in any later dispute about deductions.
Return Deadline: Within 30 days after the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the full deposit (plus interest) or send an itemized written list of deductions along with any remaining balance. Deductions are only permitted for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: If a landlord fails to return the deposit on time, fails to provide required documentation, or wrongfully withholds any portion, the tenant may recover treble damages (three times the amount wrongfully withheld), plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs, under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(7). Even minor procedural violations — such as failing to provide a receipt or keeping the deposit in a commingled account — can entitle the tenant to the full return of the deposit.
Evictions in Massachusetts are governed by M.G.L. c. 239 (the Summary Process statute) and related provisions. A landlord in Acushnet must follow a strict legal process to remove a tenant — there are no shortcuts.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type and duration of notice depend on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: After the notice period expires, if the tenant has not vacated, the landlord may file a Summary Process complaint in the Eastern Housing Court or the appropriate district court with jurisdiction over Acushnet in Bristol County. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within a few weeks.
Step 3 — Hearing and Judgment: Both parties appear before a judge. The tenant has the right to raise defenses — such as the landlord's failure to maintain habitable conditions, improper notice, or retaliation — and to assert counterclaims. If the judge rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered.
Step 4 — Execution and Move-Out: After judgment, there is a mandatory 10-day appeal period. If no appeal is filed, the landlord may request an execution — a court order authorizing a constable or sheriff to carry out the eviction. The constable must give the tenant at least 48 hours' notice before physically removing them.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14, a landlord who changes locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off utilities, or removes the tenant's belongings without a court order commits an illegal self-help eviction. The tenant may sue without leaving the property and may recover the greater of actual damages or three months' rent, plus attorney's fees.
Just Cause Eviction: Acushnet has no just cause eviction ordinance. Unlike Boston, which enacted a Just Cause Eviction ordinance in 2024, Acushnet landlords are not required to state a specific reason for ending a tenancy at the expiration of a lease term — they simply must give lawful notice and follow the court process.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex, fact-specific, and subject to change — what applies in one situation may not apply in another. While we strive to keep this content accurate and up to date as of April 2026, we make no guarantee that the information reflects the most current legal developments. Acushnet renters facing eviction, habitability issues, security deposit disputes, or any other serious housing matter should consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization for advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
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