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Hanover is a suburban town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, located about 25 miles south of Boston. Like much of the South Shore, Hanover has seen steady demand for rental housing, and renters here rely entirely on Massachusetts state law for their tenant protections — there are no additional local ordinances in effect.
Massachusetts is widely regarded as one of the more tenant-protective states in the country, with strict rules on security deposits, a robust sanitary code, meaningful anti-retaliation protections, and clear notice requirements for eviction. Renters in Hanover should familiarize themselves with these state-level rights, particularly Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 186 and the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410).
This article is intended as informational guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights law can be fact-specific and change over time — if you are facing an eviction, a deposit dispute, or a habitability problem, consulting a qualified attorney or free legal aid organization is strongly recommended.
Hanover has no rent control ordinance, and there is currently no rent control anywhere in Massachusetts. In November 1994, Massachusetts voters approved a statewide ballot initiative (Question 9) that abolished rent control in every municipality in the state, including Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline — the only cities that had operated rent control programs. That voter mandate effectively ended all local rent control authority under state law.
In 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which technically lifted the blanket prohibition and allowed cities and towns to adopt new rent stabilization ordinances if they chose to do so. However, as of April 2026, no Massachusetts municipality — including Hanover — has enacted a new rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. This means landlords in Hanover may raise rents by any amount at the end of a lease term or with proper notice for month-to-month tenants, with no statutory cap on increases.
In practice, Hanover renters should be aware that while no rent increase limit exists, landlords must still provide proper notice before raising rent, and any rent increase that is retaliatory in nature may be challenged under M.G.L. c. 186, § 18.
Massachusetts provides several strong statewide protections that apply to every renter in Hanover:
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 in Massachusetts, and the landlord must provide the tenant with written notice of the bank name, account number, and the amount deposited within 30 days of receiving it. Tenants earn interest on the deposit at the rate of 5% per year or the actual rate paid by the bank, whichever is lower. The deposit must be returned within 30 days of the tenancy ending, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the tenant recovering up to three times the deposit amount, plus attorney's fees.
Habitability and the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410; M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L): Landlords in Hanover must maintain rental units in compliance with the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code, which sets minimum standards for heat, hot water, structural integrity, pest control, plumbing, and more. Tenants who believe their unit is substandard may report violations to the Hanover Board of Health for inspection. If a landlord fails to correct violations, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, use the repair-and-deduct remedy (up to four months' rent in a 12-month period), or terminate the lease under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L.
Notice to Terminate (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): For month-to-month tenancies, either the landlord or the tenant must give at least 30 days' written notice to end the tenancy. The notice must be timed so that it expires at the end of a rental period. For tenants with a fixed-term lease, the lease terms govern the end of tenancy, though landlords must still file for eviction in court if the tenant does not vacate.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations, contact a government agency about conditions, join a tenant organization, or exercise any other legal right. Retaliation can include rent increases, service reductions, or eviction proceedings. Critically, under Massachusetts law, any adverse action taken within six months of a protected act is presumed to be retaliatory, placing the burden on the landlord to prove otherwise. Tenants who prevail on a retaliation claim may recover up to three months' rent, actual damages, and attorney's fees.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): Landlords may not attempt to evict a tenant by changing the locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities such as heat, electricity, or water. These self-help eviction tactics are illegal in Massachusetts regardless of whether rent is owed. A landlord who violates this section is liable for the greater of three months' rent or three times the actual damages, plus attorney's fees.
Anti-Discrimination (M.G.L. c. 151B): Massachusetts law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, source of income (including housing vouchers), and several other protected categories. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) enforces these protections.
Massachusetts has some of the strictest security deposit rules in the United States, and they apply in full to Hanover rentals under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.
Maximum Amount: A landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding the equivalent of one month's rent, regardless of lease length or unit type. In addition to the deposit, a landlord may only collect first month's rent, last month's rent, and the cost of a new lock and key at the start of the tenancy.
Holding Requirements: The security deposit must be deposited in a separate, interest-bearing account at a Massachusetts bank within 30 days of receipt. The landlord must provide the tenant with a written receipt identifying the bank's name and address, the account number, and the amount held. Tenants accrue interest at 5% per year or the actual account rate, whichever is less, and may request the interest annually.
Condition Statement: At the start of the tenancy, the landlord must provide a written statement of the condition of the rental unit. Tenants have 15 days to return a signed copy with any additions or corrections. This document is critical: landlords may only deduct from the deposit for damage beyond normal wear and tear that is documented on this statement.
Return Deadline: The deposit — plus accrued interest, minus any documented, itemized deductions — must be returned within 30 days after the tenancy ends. Deductions must be accompanied by a written, itemized statement and, where a repair was made, receipts or invoices.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: If a landlord fails to return the deposit on time, fails to provide proper documentation, or wrongfully withholds any portion, the tenant may sue to recover up to three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus interest, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(7). Courts take these violations seriously in Massachusetts — even technical violations of the deposit statute can result in the full treble damages award.
Evictions in Hanover follow Massachusetts state law under M.G.L. c. 239 (the summary process statute) and M.G.L. c. 186. Landlords must follow every required step; skipping any step can result in the eviction case being dismissed.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type and timing of the notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Summons and Complaint: If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period, the landlord may file a Summary Process (eviction) complaint in the Quincy District Court or Plymouth District Court, which have jurisdiction over Plymouth County matters. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within about 10 days of service of the summons.
Step 3 — Answer and Discovery: The tenant has the right to file a written Answer raising defenses (such as retaliation, habitability, or improper notice) and counterclaims. Discovery and mediation may occur before the hearing date.
Step 4 — Hearing and Judgment: A judge hears the case. If the landlord prevails, the court issues a judgment for possession. The tenant typically has at least 10 days before a writ of execution (the removal order) may be issued. Tenants may request a stay of execution for up to six months (or twelve months for elderly or disabled tenants) under M.G.L. c. 239, § 9.
Step 5 — Execution and Removal: Only a licensed constable or sheriff may carry out a physical removal, and only pursuant to a valid writ of execution issued by the court. Landlords may not remove tenants themselves.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14, it is unlawful for any landlord to attempt to evict a tenant by changing locks, removing doors, shutting off utilities, or using any other self-help method. Doing so exposes the landlord to liability for the greater of three months' rent or three times actual damages, plus attorney's fees, regardless of whether the tenant owes rent.
Just Cause Eviction: Hanover has no just cause eviction ordinance. Unlike Boston, which enacted a Just Cause Eviction ordinance in 2024, Hanover landlords are not required to state a reason for ending a tenancy — they need only provide the legally required notice period and follow the court process.
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights law is fact-specific, and the application of Massachusetts statutes and local rules to your individual situation may differ from the general descriptions above. Laws and ordinances can change — always verify current law with a licensed Massachusetts attorney or a qualified legal aid organization before taking action. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page.
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