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Belmont is a mid-sized residential town in Middlesex County, bordered by Cambridge, Watertown, and Waltham. Its proximity to Boston and Cambridge has made it a competitive rental market, with a significant share of its roughly 26,000 residents renting single-family homes, condominiums, and multi-unit buildings. Renters in Belmont frequently ask about security deposit rules, what notice a landlord must give before ending a tenancy, and what protections exist if a landlord refuses to make repairs.
Belmont has no local tenant-protection ordinances beyond what state law requires. However, Massachusetts provides some of the strongest baseline renter protections in the nation — strict security deposit rules under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B, a robust sanitary code under 105 CMR 410, and powerful anti-retaliation provisions under M.G.L. c. 186, § 18. Understanding these statewide rights is essential for every Belmont tenant.
This page is an informational summary of the laws that apply to Belmont renters as of April 2026. It is not legal advice. Laws change, and individual situations vary — if you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact one of the legal aid organizations listed below.
Belmont has no rent control, and Massachusetts state law currently does not require it. In November 1994, Massachusetts voters passed a statewide ballot initiative — Question 9 — that prohibited rent control in every city and town in the Commonwealth. That prohibition effectively repealed Cambridge's, Boston's, and Brookline's existing rent-control programs.
In 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which lifted the statewide ban and allowed individual municipalities to adopt rent stabilization ordinances if they chose to. As of April 2026, no Massachusetts city or town — including Belmont — has enacted a new rent-control or rent-stabilization ordinance under this authority. Boston has discussed such legislation, but none is in effect.
In practical terms, this means a Belmont landlord may raise rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenants, with proper written notice. There is no cap on rent increases, no requirement to justify the size of an increase, and no registration or notification process required. Tenants facing a large rent increase have the choice to accept the new terms or vacate with the required notice period.
Although Belmont has no local ordinances, Massachusetts state law provides substantial protections for all renters in the town.
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 tenant must receive written notice of the bank name and account number within 30 days of receipt. The landlord must return the deposit — with accrued interest — within 30 days after the tenancy ends, accompanied by an itemized written statement of any deductions. Violations can result in the tenant recovering up to three times the deposit amount plus attorney's fees.
Habitability and the Sanitary Code (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L; 105 CMR 410): Landlords in Belmont must maintain rental units in compliance with the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410). This includes providing adequate heat (at least 68°F from September 15 to June 15), hot water, working plumbing, structurally safe conditions, and freedom from pests and moisture. Tenants may report violations to the Belmont Board of Health. If violations are serious and the landlord fails to remedy them after notice, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, pursue a repair-and-deduct remedy, or terminate the lease under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L.
Notice to Terminate (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): For a month-to-month tenancy, either party must give the other at least 30 days' written notice before terminating. That notice must be timed to expire at the end of a rental period — meaning a notice given mid-month does not count until the following month's end. Landlords who fail to give proper notice cannot proceed with eviction.
Anti-Retaliation (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): A landlord may not raise rent, reduce services, or initiate eviction proceedings in retaliation against a tenant who has reported code violations, organized with other tenants, or exercised any other legal right. If a landlord takes adverse action within six months of a protected act by the tenant, the law presumes the action is retaliatory. A tenant who proves retaliation is entitled to up to three months' rent, attorney's fees, and other damages.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): A landlord may not lock out a tenant, remove the tenant's belongings, or shut off utilities — including heat, water, gas, or electricity — as a means of forcing the tenant to leave. These self-help eviction tactics are illegal in Massachusetts regardless of whether rent is owed. A tenant subjected to an illegal lockout or utility shutoff may sue for actual damages or three months' rent, 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, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, familial status, source of income (including housing vouchers), and several other characteristics. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) enforces these protections.
Massachusetts has some of the most detailed and tenant-friendly security deposit rules in the country, and they apply fully to Belmont rentals under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.
Cap: A landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding one month's rent. In addition to (or instead of) a deposit, a landlord may collect first month's rent, last month's rent, and the cost of a new lock and key — but no other upfront fees are permitted under this statute.
Holding Requirements: The deposit must be deposited within 30 days of receipt in a separate, interest-bearing account at a Massachusetts bank. The landlord must give the tenant written notice of the bank's name and address and the account number. The tenant earns interest on the deposit at the rate the bank pays, or 5% per year, whichever is less. Interest must be paid or credited to the tenant annually and at the end of the tenancy.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the deposit — minus any properly documented deductions — within 30 days after the tenancy ends. The return must be accompanied by an itemized written statement explaining any deductions, supported by receipts or invoices for repairs. Deductions are only permitted for unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: If the landlord fails to return the deposit on time, fails to provide the required itemized statement, fails to maintain the deposit in a proper account, or makes improper deductions, the tenant may sue and recover up to three times the deposit amount (treble damages) plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. Courts take these violations seriously — even technical violations of the holding and notice requirements have resulted in treble damages awards.
Evictions in Belmont follow the Massachusetts summary process eviction procedure governed by M.G.L. c. 239. The process has several required steps, and landlords who skip any of them cannot obtain a valid judgment.
Step 1 — Notice to Quit: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written Notice to Quit. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction: nonpayment of rent requires a 14-day Notice to Quit (M.G.L. c. 186, § 11); lease violations typically require a 30-day notice; and termination of a month-to-month tenancy requires at least 30 days' notice expiring at the end of a rental period (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12). The notice must be properly served — in hand, left at the last and usual place of abode, or by constable.
Step 2 — Summary Process Summons and Complaint: If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period expires, the landlord may file a Summary Process Summons and Complaint at the Middlesex County Housing Court (Eastern Division, located in Cambridge). The tenant is served with the summons and given a hearing date.
Step 3 — Answer and Hearing: The tenant has the right to file a written Answer raising defenses and counterclaims — such as habitability violations, retaliation, or improper notice. The Housing Court judge hears both sides. If the judge finds for the landlord, a judgment for possession enters.
Step 4 — Execution and Stay: After a judgment for possession, the tenant has 10 days to appeal or request a stay. If no stay is granted, the landlord may obtain an Execution — a court order authorizing a constable to remove the tenant — after the 10-day period. Only a constable acting under a valid Execution may physically remove a tenant.
Just Cause Eviction: Belmont has no just-cause eviction ordinance. A landlord may end a tenancy at the expiration of a lease or with proper notice for a month-to-month tenancy without stating a specific reason, as long as the termination is not retaliatory or discriminatory under M.G.L. c. 186, § 18 or M.G.L. c. 151B.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14, a landlord may never lock out a tenant, remove the tenant's possessions, or shut off utilities to force a tenant to leave. Doing so exposes the landlord to liability for actual damages or three months' rent (whichever is greater), plus attorney's fees, regardless of whether rent is owed.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex, and individual circumstances vary significantly. The statutes and regulations cited were accurate as of April 2026, but laws change — always verify current law with a licensed Massachusetts attorney or a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe and its authors are not responsible for actions taken in reliance on the information provided here. If you are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other housing legal matter, please contact a legal professional as soon as possible.
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