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Auburn is a town of approximately 16,000 residents in Worcester County, situated just southwest of the city of Worcester along I-290. While Auburn is primarily a suburban community, a meaningful share of its residents rent — and those tenants are entitled to the full set of protections under Massachusetts state law, which ranks among the strongest tenant-protection frameworks in the country.
Auburn renters most commonly search for information on security deposit rules, what notice a landlord must give before ending a tenancy, and how to address substandard housing conditions. Massachusetts law addresses each of these topics in detail, with specific statutes governing deposit handling, habitability standards, retaliation protections, and the eviction process. Auburn has not enacted any local ordinances that go beyond state law, so the Massachusetts General Laws are the primary source of tenant rights in this town.
This page provides a plain-language summary of the laws that apply to Auburn renters. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Auburn has no rent control, and landlords may raise rent by any amount with proper notice. Massachusetts voters approved a statewide ballot initiative in November 1994 (Question 9) that immediately abolished all existing rent control ordinances in Cambridge, Boston, and Brookline and prohibited municipalities from enacting new ones. That prohibition was lifted by Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which restored local authority to enact rent stabilization ordinances — but as of April 2026, no Massachusetts municipality, including Auburn, has enacted a new rent control or rent stabilization law.
In practice, this means Auburn landlords can raise rent to any market rate at the end of a lease term or upon giving proper notice on a month-to-month tenancy. There is no cap on the percentage or dollar amount of a rent increase. The only requirement is that the landlord provide adequate advance notice — at least 30 days for month-to-month tenancies under M.G.L. c. 186, § 12 — and that increases not be used as a form of illegal retaliation under M.G.L. c. 186, § 18.
Massachusetts provides several strong statewide protections that apply to every Auburn renter regardless of the absence of local ordinances.
Security Deposit (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B): A landlord may collect a security deposit of no more than one month's rent. The deposit must be held in a separate, interest-bearing bank account in Massachusetts, and the landlord must provide written notice of the bank name, account number, and the tenant's right to interest within 30 days of receiving the deposit. The landlord must return the deposit — with accrued interest — within 30 days of the tenancy ending, accompanied by an itemized written statement of any deductions. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the tenant recovering three times the deposit amount plus attorney's fees.
Habitability and the State Sanitary Code (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127A; 105 CMR 410): Massachusetts landlords are legally required to maintain rental units in compliance with the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410), which sets minimum standards for heat, hot water, structural safety, pest control, and more. Landlords must provide heat capable of maintaining at least 68°F from September 15 through June 15. If a landlord fails to correct a code violation, tenants may report the condition to the Auburn Board of Health, and under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L, tenants may pursue remedies including rent withholding, repair-and-deduct, or lease termination in cases of serious violations.
Notice to Terminate (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): A landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy, and that notice must be timed to expire at the end of a rental period. Tenants must provide the same minimum notice when they intend to vacate.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): Landlords are prohibited from raising rent, reducing services, or commencing eviction proceedings in retaliation for a tenant reporting housing code violations, organizing with other tenants, or exercising any other legal right. Any adverse action taken within six months of a protected act is legally presumed to be retaliatory, shifting the burden to the landlord to prove a legitimate, non-retaliatory reason.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): A landlord may not remove a tenant's belongings, change the locks, shut off utilities, or otherwise interfere with a tenant's quiet enjoyment of the premises as a method of forcing the tenant to leave. Such self-help eviction is illegal. A tenant subjected to an illegal lockout or utility shutoff may sue the landlord for three months' rent or three times actual damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees.
Anti-Discrimination (M.G.L. c. 151B): Massachusetts law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, familial status, age, ancestry, marital status, military status, and source of income (including Section 8 vouchers). Complaints may be filed with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).
Massachusetts has some of the strictest security deposit rules in the country, all governed by M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B. The following requirements apply to every Auburn rental.
Cap: The security deposit cannot exceed one month's rent, regardless of what the lease says. Any amount collected above one month's rent is unlawful.
Separate Account: The landlord must deposit the funds in a separate, interest-bearing account at a Massachusetts bank within 30 days of receiving the deposit. The landlord must give the tenant written notice of the bank's name and address and the account number within the same 30-day window. The tenant earns interest on the deposit at the rate paid by the bank or 5% per year, whichever is less, and that interest must either be paid annually or credited against rent.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the security deposit — along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenancy ends. If the landlord claims deductions for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear, each deduction must be documented. Normal wear and tear cannot be deducted.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: If the landlord fails to return the deposit on time, fails to provide a proper itemized statement, or otherwise violates § 15B, the tenant is entitled to recover three times the amount wrongfully withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. Courts have applied this treble-damages remedy broadly — even technical violations of the account-notice requirement have resulted in forfeiture of the entire deposit.
Last Month's Rent: A landlord may also collect the last month's rent in advance. This amount must also earn interest at the same rate as a security deposit, and the landlord must provide a receipt indicating how it will be applied.
Auburn evictions are governed by Massachusetts state law — primarily M.G.L. c. 186 and the summary process statute at M.G.L. c. 239. There is no local just-cause requirement in Auburn; the protections below are all state law.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve a written notice. The type and timing of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Summary Process Complaint: If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period expires, the landlord may file a Summary Process complaint in the Eastern Worcester Division of the Housing Court (or Worcester District Court). The tenant is served with a Summons and Complaint and given a hearing date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to raise defenses, including improper notice, retaliation (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18), breach of the warranty of habitability, or improper handling of the security deposit under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B. A tenant may also request a jury trial.
Step 4 — Judgment and Execution: If the landlord prevails, the court issues a judgment. The tenant may be entitled to a stay of execution to allow time to find housing. The landlord may obtain an Execution (writ) after 10 days and must have a constable or sheriff enforce it — only a court officer may physically remove the tenant.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): A landlord may never change the locks, remove doors or windows, shut off heat, water, electricity, or gas, or remove the tenant's belongings without a court order. Any such action exposes the landlord to liability for three months' rent or three times actual damages — whichever is greater — plus attorney's fees, regardless of whether the tenant owes rent.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change through legislation, regulation, and court decisions. The summaries above may not reflect the most current legal developments or the specific facts of your situation. Auburn renters with specific legal questions or problems should consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization such as Community Legal Aid or Greater Boston Legal Services. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader.
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