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Concord is a historic town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, best known as the site of the first battle of the American Revolution. While Concord is predominantly owner-occupied and more suburban than urban, renters in Concord are fully protected by Massachusetts state tenant law — among the strongest in the nation. Tenants most commonly search for information about security deposit rules, landlord repair obligations, and eviction notice requirements.
Massachusetts law sets a firm cap on security deposits, requires landlords to maintain habitable conditions under the state sanitary code (105 CMR 410), and prohibits retaliation against tenants who assert their legal rights. Concord has not enacted any local tenant-protection ordinances beyond what the state provides, so state law governs all residential tenancies in town.
This page is intended as general educational information about tenant rights in Concord, Massachusetts. It is not legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — if you face an eviction or a dispute with your landlord, consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or a qualified legal aid organization.
Concord has no rent control of any kind. Massachusetts voters approved a statewide ballot initiative — Question 9 — in November 1994, which immediately ended rent control in every Massachusetts city and town that had it, including Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline. That voter mandate effectively prohibited any Massachusetts municipality from maintaining or enacting rent control ordinances.
In 2020, the Massachusetts legislature passed Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which lifted the legal prohibition and theoretically allows municipalities to enact new local rent stabilization ordinances. However, as of April 2026, no Massachusetts city or town — including Concord — has enacted a new rent control or rent stabilization ordinance under this authority.
In practical terms, this means Concord landlords may raise the rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenancies, with proper written notice under M.G.L. c. 186, § 12. There is no cap on rent increases and no requirement that a landlord justify a rent increase. Tenants should carefully review lease renewal terms and budget accordingly.
Although Concord has no local tenant ordinances, Massachusetts state law provides robust protections that apply to every residential tenancy in the town.
Security Deposit Rules (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B): Landlords 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, and the landlord must provide the tenant with written notice of the bank name, account number, and annual interest within 30 days of receipt. Tenants earn interest on their deposit each year. At move-out, the landlord must return the deposit — with accrued interest — within 30 days, accompanied by an itemized statement of any deductions. Failure to comply can expose the landlord to treble (triple) damages plus reasonable attorney fees.
Habitability & Repairs (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L; 105 CMR 410): Massachusetts law imposes a strict duty on landlords to maintain rental units in compliance with the state Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410). This includes adequate heat (at least 68°F from September 16 through June 14), hot water, functioning plumbing, freedom from pest infestation, and structurally safe conditions. Tenants may report violations to the Concord Board of Health. If a landlord fails to remedy a serious code violation after notice, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, use the repair-and-deduct remedy, or terminate the tenancy under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L.
Notice to Terminate (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): For month-to-month tenancies, either party must give at least 30 days' written notice before terminating, and the notice must expire at the end of a rental period. For example, if rent is due on the first of the month, a notice given on April 5 would not be effective until May 31. Fixed-term leases expire by their own terms unless the landlord or tenant takes further action.
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's exercise of legal rights — such as reporting a code violation, contacting an inspector, or organizing with other tenants. If a landlord takes adverse action within six months of a tenant's protected activity, Massachusetts law presumes the action is retaliatory. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim may recover actual damages, up to three months' rent, or both, plus attorney fees.
Lockout & 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 cut off heat, utilities, or other essential services to force a tenant out. Violations entitle the tenant to recover actual damages or three months' rent — whichever is greater — plus attorney fees and costs.
Anti-Discrimination (M.G.L. c. 151B): Massachusetts law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, ancestry, marital status, military service, and source of income (including Section 8 vouchers). Complaints may be filed with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).
Massachusetts has some of the most tenant-friendly security deposit rules in the United States, and they apply in full to all Concord rentals under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.
Cap: A landlord may not collect a security deposit greater than one month's rent. A landlord may also collect first month's rent, last month's rent, and the cost of a new key — but those are separate from the security deposit cap.
Holding Requirements: The deposit must be placed in a separate, interest-bearing savings account at a Massachusetts bank within the state. The landlord must give the tenant written notice within 30 days of receipt identifying the bank's name and address, the account number, and the annual interest rate. The tenant earns interest on the deposit for every year it is held.
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.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If the landlord fails to return the deposit on time, fails to provide the required itemized statement, or makes improper deductions, the tenant is entitled to treble (triple) the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees and court costs. This is one of the most powerful security deposit remedies in the country. Deductions are only permissible for unpaid rent or for damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Move-In Checklist: Before or at the start of a tenancy, if a security deposit is collected, the landlord must provide a written statement of the condition of the unit. The tenant has the right to note disagreements with that statement within 15 days.
Landlords in Concord must follow a strict legal process to remove a tenant. Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — is illegal under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14 and can result in the landlord owing the tenant three months' rent or actual damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Summary Process (Eviction) Complaint: If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period, the landlord must file a Summary Process complaint in the appropriate Massachusetts Housing Court or District Court. The tenant will be served with a summons and given a court date.
Step 3 — Answer & Discovery: The tenant has the right to file a written Answer raising defenses and counterclaims — including retaliation, breach of the warranty of habitability, or improper security deposit handling. Tenants may also conduct discovery to obtain evidence.
Step 4 — Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge or magistrate. The judge may enter judgment for the landlord (including a date by which the tenant must leave) or for the tenant if defenses are proven.
Step 5 — Execution & Move-Out: If judgment enters for the landlord, the court issues an Execution — a document authorizing removal — no sooner than 10 days after judgment. Only a court-authorized constable or sheriff may carry out a physical eviction. The landlord may never personally remove a tenant or their belongings.
Just Cause: Concord has no just cause eviction ordinance. Unlike Boston (which enacted a Just Cause Eviction Ordinance in 2024), landlords in Concord are not required to state a specific reason for ending a tenancy, provided they give proper statutory notice.
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws — including Massachusetts statutes, local ordinances, and court interpretations — can change, and individual circumstances vary widely. Renters in Concord, Massachusetts who face an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other housing legal matter should consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization such as Greater Boston Legal Services. RentCheckMe makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, and use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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