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East Bridgewater is a small town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, with a population of approximately 14,000 residents. While smaller than nearby Brockton or the Greater Boston metro, East Bridgewater has an active rental market, and its renters are fully covered by Massachusetts state tenant protection law — among the most comprehensive in the United States.
Tenants in East Bridgewater most commonly seek information about security deposit rules, landlord repair obligations, eviction procedures, and protections against retaliation. Massachusetts law sets strict standards in each of these areas, giving renters meaningful legal tools when disputes arise. There is no local rent control ordinance and no additional local tenant ordinances beyond what the state provides.
This page is intended as an informational overview only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you are facing an eviction or a serious landlord dispute, consult a qualified attorney or a local legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
East Bridgewater has no rent control, and there is no local ordinance limiting how much a landlord may raise rent. Massachusetts voters approved a statewide ballot initiative — Question 9 in 1994 — that repealed rent control in every Massachusetts city and town, including communities that had active rent control ordinances at the time, such as Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline.
In 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted Chapter 358, which removed the statewide prohibition on rent control and technically allows cities and towns to re-enact local rent stabilization ordinances. However, as of April 2026, no Massachusetts municipality has enacted a new rent control or rent stabilization ordinance, meaning East Bridgewater renters have no cap on rent increases.
In practice, this means your landlord may raise your rent to any amount — subject only to the requirement that proper advance notice be given. For month-to-month tenants, a rent increase requires at least 30 days' written notice under M.G.L. c. 186, § 12. For tenants with a fixed-term lease, rent cannot be increased until the lease expires unless the lease itself allows for it.
Although East Bridgewater has no local tenant ordinances, Massachusetts state law provides robust protections that apply to every renter in the commonwealth.
Security Deposits (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B): Massachusetts has some of the strictest security deposit laws in the country. A landlord may not charge more than one month's rent as a security deposit. The deposit must be held in a separate, interest-bearing bank account, and the tenant must receive written notice of the bank name and account number within 30 days of paying the deposit. The landlord must also provide a written statement of the condition of the premises (a move-in checklist) within 10 days of the tenant moving in or within 10 days of receiving the deposit, whichever is later. Violations of any of these requirements can give the tenant the right to demand the deposit back immediately.
Habitability & Repairs (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L; 105 CMR 410): Massachusetts landlords are legally required to maintain rental units in compliance with the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410.000). This code sets minimum standards for heat, hot water, plumbing, electricity, pest control, and structural safety. If a landlord fails to make repairs, tenants may report violations to the East Bridgewater or Plymouth County Board of Health. In cases of serious violations, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, make repairs themselves and deduct the cost from rent, or terminate the lease under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L.
Notice Requirements (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice. The notice must expire at the end of a rental period — meaning if rent is due on the first of the month, the notice period must end on the last day of a month. Tenants must provide the same 30-day notice to terminate their own tenancy.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who exercise their legal rights, including reporting housing code violations to a government agency, contacting a tenant organization, or withholding rent lawfully. Any rent increase, service reduction, or eviction action taken within six months of a protected act is legally presumed to be retaliatory. A tenant who proves retaliation may recover up to three months' rent plus attorney's fees.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): Self-help eviction is illegal in Massachusetts. A landlord may not change the locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's personal property to force a tenant out. Violations entitle the tenant to recover 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, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, familial status, military service, receipt of public assistance (including Section 8 vouchers), and several other protected classes. Complaints may be filed with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).
Massachusetts imposes strict rules on security deposits, and East Bridgewater tenants benefit from all of them under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.
Maximum Amount: A landlord may not collect a security deposit greater than one month's rent. Any amount collected above that limit must be returned to the tenant immediately upon demand.
Separate Account Requirement: The deposit must be deposited in a separate, interest-bearing escrow account at a Massachusetts bank within 30 days of receipt. The landlord must provide the tenant with a written receipt that includes the bank's name, branch address, and account number. Interest accrues in favor of the tenant and must either be paid out annually or credited against rent.
Move-In Condition Statement: Within 10 days of the tenant moving in, or within 10 days of receiving the deposit (whichever is later), the landlord must provide a written statement describing the condition of each room in the unit, signed by both parties. If the landlord fails to provide this statement, the tenant may demand the deposit back at any time.
Return Deadline: After a tenancy ends, the landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit along with any accrued interest, minus any lawfully deducted amounts. Deductions are permitted only for unpaid rent or actual damage beyond normal wear and tear, and must be accompanied by an itemized written statement and receipts or invoices.
Penalty for Violations: If a landlord fails to return the deposit on time, fails to provide the required itemization, or wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit, the tenant is entitled to treble (triple) damages, plus court costs and attorney's fees, under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(7).
In East Bridgewater, landlords must follow Massachusetts law to evict a tenant. Self-help eviction — changing locks, shutting off utilities, or removing belongings — is illegal and can expose a landlord to significant liability under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14.
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:
Step 2 — Summary Process Complaint: If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period expires, the landlord may file a Summary Process (eviction) action in the Southeast Housing Court, which has jurisdiction over Plymouth County cases. The tenant will receive a summons with a court date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to raise defenses, including improper notice, habitability violations, retaliation, and discrimination. If the landlord prevails, a judgment for possession is entered.
Step 4 — Execution & Move-Out: After a judgment, the tenant generally has 10 days to appeal or vacate. If the tenant does not leave voluntarily, the landlord may obtain an execution (a court order for removal) and request that a sheriff or constable carry out the eviction. Only a sheriff or constable may physically remove a tenant — never the landlord acting alone.
Just Cause Eviction: East Bridgewater has no just cause eviction ordinance. Boston enacted a Just Cause Eviction ordinance in 2024, but it applies only within Boston city limits and does not extend to East Bridgewater or other Plymouth County communities.
Retaliation Defense: Under M.G.L. c. 186, § 18, if the landlord initiates eviction within six months of the tenant reporting a code violation or exercising another protected right, the eviction is presumed retaliatory and the landlord bears the burden of proving otherwise.
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, and individual circumstances vary significantly. The summaries of Massachusetts statutes and regulations on this page may not reflect the most current legal developments. East Bridgewater renters facing eviction, security deposit disputes, habitability problems, or other housing issues should consult a qualified Massachusetts attorney or contact a local legal aid organization. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by your use of this site.
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