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Bridgewater Town is a mid-sized Plymouth County community in southeastern Massachusetts, home to Bridgewater State University and a growing renter population that includes students, families, and working residents. As a college town, many renters cycle through frequently and may be unfamiliar with their legal rights under Massachusetts law. Renters here most commonly search for questions about security deposit refunds, what notice a landlord must give before eviction, and what to do when a landlord fails to make repairs.
Massachusetts provides some of the strongest baseline tenant protections in the United States, and those protections apply fully in Bridgewater Town. The state's strict security deposit rules, the implied warranty of habitability enforced through the sanitary code, and robust anti-retaliation statutes all give renters meaningful legal leverage. While Bridgewater Town has no local ordinances extending beyond state law, the state framework alone covers the most critical renter needs.
This article is intended as an informational overview of tenant rights in Bridgewater Town, Massachusetts. It is not legal advice. Laws may change, and individual situations vary — renters with specific concerns should consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Bridgewater Town has no rent control ordinance. Massachusetts voters passed a statewide ballot initiative (Question 9) in November 1994 that immediately abolished all local rent control laws across the Commonwealth, ending programs that had existed in Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline. Following that repeal, state law effectively prohibited municipalities from enacting new rent stabilization measures.
In 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature passed Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which removed the statutory barrier and allowed cities and towns to adopt rent control ordinances again if they chose to do so. As of April 2026, no Massachusetts municipality — including Bridgewater Town — has enacted a new rent control or rent stabilization ordinance under that authority. Bridgewater Town has not introduced or passed any such local measure.
In practical terms, this means a landlord in Bridgewater Town may raise rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or upon proper notice for a month-to-month tenancy. There is no cap on rent increases, no requirement that increases be tied to inflation, and no registry of rents. Renters should carefully review lease renewal terms and budget accordingly.
Although Bridgewater Town has no local ordinances, Massachusetts state law provides a robust set of protections that apply to every rental unit in town.
Security Deposits (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B): Massachusetts has among the strictest security deposit rules in the country. A landlord may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit. The deposit must be held in a separate, interest-bearing Massachusetts bank account, and the landlord must provide written notice of the bank name and account number within 30 days. The deposit must be returned — along with accrued interest and an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days of the tenancy ending. Failure to comply can expose the landlord to liability for three times the deposit amount (treble damages), plus interest, court costs, and attorney's fees.
Habitability & Repairs (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L; 105 CMR 410): Every residential landlord in Massachusetts is legally required to maintain rental units in compliance with the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410). This includes functioning heat (minimum 68°F from September 15 to June 15), hot water, adequate ventilation, and freedom from pests, moisture, and structural hazards. If a landlord fails to make required repairs after receiving written notice, tenants may report violations to the Bridgewater Board of Health, withhold rent under certain conditions, pursue a repair-and-deduct remedy, or seek to terminate the lease under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L.
Notice to Terminate Tenancy (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): For month-to-month tenancies, either the landlord or tenant must provide at least 30 days' written notice before terminating. That notice must be timed to expire at the end of a rental period (e.g., the last day of the month for a monthly tenancy). Fixed-term leases expire by their own terms, but the landlord must still follow the formal eviction process if a tenant holds over.
Anti-Retaliation (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): A landlord may not raise rent, reduce services, threaten eviction, or take other adverse action against a tenant in retaliation for reporting code violations, contacting the Board of Health, joining a tenants' union, or exercising any legal right. If adverse action occurs within six months of a protected activity, the law presumes it is retaliatory. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim may recover one to three months' rent, plus attorney's fees and costs.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): Self-help eviction is illegal in Massachusetts. A landlord who changes the locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off utilities, or otherwise attempts to force a tenant out without going through the court process faces liability for three months' rent or actual damages — whichever is greater — plus attorney's fees.
Anti-Discrimination (M.G.L. c. 151B): Massachusetts fair housing law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, military status, and source of income (including Section 8 vouchers). Complaints may be filed with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).
Massachusetts security deposit law (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B) is one of the most detailed and tenant-protective in the nation, and it applies in full to every rental unit in Bridgewater Town.
Maximum Amount: A landlord may collect no more than the equivalent of one month's rent as a security deposit. Any amount collected above that limit is a violation of the statute.
Holding Requirements: The deposit must be held in a separate interest-bearing savings account in a Massachusetts bank. Within 30 days of receiving the deposit, the landlord must provide the tenant with a written receipt identifying the bank name, branch address, and account number, and stating the amount of interest the deposit will earn.
Condition Statement: At the time of signing the lease or paying the deposit, the landlord must provide the tenant with a written statement describing the condition of every room, including any existing damage. The tenant has 15 days to note any disagreements. This statement becomes critical evidence if the landlord later tries to deduct for pre-existing damage.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the security deposit — along with a written itemized statement of any deductions and any accrued interest — within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: If a landlord fails to return the deposit on time, fails to provide the itemized statement, improperly deducts amounts, or violates any other requirement of § 15B, the tenant may be entitled to treble damages (three times the deposit amount), plus interest, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees. These penalties are among the stiffest in the country and give tenants strong leverage to recover their deposits.
In Bridgewater Town, a landlord must follow the formal Massachusetts court eviction process — called a Summary Process action — to remove a tenant. There is no just cause eviction requirement in Bridgewater Town; unlike Boston (which enacted a Just Cause Eviction ordinance in 2024), Bridgewater Town tenants do not have a right to remain solely because they have been good tenants.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Summary Process Filing: If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period expires, the landlord may file a Summary Process complaint in the Brockton District Court (which has jurisdiction over Plymouth County matters including Bridgewater Town). The tenant will receive a Summons and Complaint specifying the hearing date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to raise defenses, including habitability issues, retaliation, improper notice, and security deposit violations. Tenants may also request a jury trial in eviction cases under M.G.L. c. 239.
Step 4 — Judgment and Execution: If the court issues a judgment for the landlord, the tenant typically has 10 days to appeal or vacate before the landlord can request an Execution (the order authorizing the sheriff or constable to remove the tenant). Only a sheriff or constable may enforce a physical removal — the landlord may not do so personally.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): A landlord who locks out a tenant, removes belongings, shuts off heat, electricity, or water, or otherwise forces a tenant out without a court order commits an illegal self-help eviction. The tenant may sue for three months' rent or actual damages (whichever is greater) plus attorney's fees. Tenants facing a lockout should contact the police and a legal aid attorney immediately.
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 situations may vary significantly. Laws, ordinances, and court interpretations can change after the date of publication — always verify current requirements with a licensed Massachusetts attorney or a qualified legal aid organization before taking action. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. If you have an urgent housing matter, contact Greater Boston Legal Services, Mass Legal Help, or another qualified legal resource listed above.
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