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Holliston is a suburban town of approximately 15,000 residents in Middlesex County, located about 25 miles southwest of Boston. While smaller than many Massachusetts cities, Holliston has a notable renter population that relies entirely on the Commonwealth's statewide tenant protection framework — one of the more robust in the northeastern United States.
Renters in Holliston most frequently ask about security deposit rules, what notice a landlord must give before ending a tenancy, and what remedies exist when a landlord fails to make repairs. Massachusetts law addresses all of these through specific statutes, including M.G.L. c. 186 and the state Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410), which apply in every city and town including Holliston.
This page provides a plain-language summary of the tenant rights that apply to Holliston renters as of April 2026. It is informational only and is not legal advice. If you are facing an eviction, a dispute over your security deposit, or uninhabitable conditions, consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or a free legal aid organization.
Holliston has no rent control ordinance, and Massachusetts state law provides no mechanism for rent stabilization at the statewide level. Landlords in Holliston may raise rent by any amount, at any time, as long as they provide the required advance written notice — generally at least 30 days for a month-to-month tenancy (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12).
Rent control was banned across all Massachusetts municipalities when voters passed Question 9 in November 1994, a ballot initiative that repealed rent control in Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline — the only three cities that had it at the time. Following that referendum, the state legislature codified the ban through enabling legislation that prohibited any city or town from enacting rent stabilization.
In 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature passed Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which lifted the statutory prohibition and theoretically allows municipalities to enact their own rent control ordinances again. However, as of April 2026, no Massachusetts city or town — including Holliston — has enacted a new rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. Holliston renters therefore have no cap on how much their rent can be increased between lease terms.
Although Holliston has no local tenant ordinances, Massachusetts state law provides meaningful protections in several key areas:
Security Deposit Rules (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B): Massachusetts has some of the strictest security deposit requirements in the country. Landlords may not collect a deposit exceeding 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 documentation of the bank and account number within 30 days of receipt. The tenant is entitled to annual interest on the deposit. Upon move-out, the landlord must return the deposit — along with accrued interest — within 30 days, accompanied by an itemized written statement of any deductions. Failure to comply can expose the landlord to liability for treble damages, court costs, and attorney's fees.
Habitability & Repairs (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L; 105 CMR 410): Every landlord in Massachusetts is legally required to maintain rental housing 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, working plumbing and electrical systems, freedom from pest infestation, and structurally sound conditions. If a landlord fails to address code violations after receiving written notice, tenants may report the conditions to the Holliston Board of Health or the local building department. Under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L, tenants may also have the right to withhold rent, make repairs and deduct the cost from rent, or terminate the lease if conditions are severe enough.
Notice Requirements (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): For month-to-month tenancies, a landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice to terminate the tenancy, and that notice must expire at the end of a rental period. A notice to quit served mid-month does not satisfy this requirement. Tenants must also provide the same 30-day notice when they choose to vacate.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): Massachusetts law strongly protects tenants who exercise their legal rights. A landlord may not raise rent, reduce services, attempt to evict, or otherwise retaliate against a tenant because the tenant reported housing code violations, organized with other tenants, or pursued any legal remedy. Critically, if a landlord takes any adverse action within six months of a tenant's protected activity, the law presumes the action was retaliatory — and the landlord bears the burden of proving otherwise. Tenants who prevail on a retaliation claim may recover actual damages, up to three months' rent, and attorney's fees.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibition (M.G.L. c. 184, § 18): It is illegal in Massachusetts for a landlord to attempt to remove a tenant without going through the court eviction process. Specifically, a landlord may not change the locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's personal belongings in order to force them out. A tenant subjected to a self-help eviction may seek emergency injunctive relief and may be entitled to damages.
Massachusetts imposes some of the most tenant-protective security deposit rules in the United States, and they apply in full to Holliston rentals under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.
Deposit Cap: A landlord in Holliston may not collect a security deposit exceeding one month's rent. This limit applies regardless of what is written in the lease. If a landlord charges more, the excess amount is treated as a violation.
Holding Requirements: The deposit must be placed 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 name, branch address, and account number. The tenant is entitled to receive interest on the deposit annually at the rate paid by the bank, or 5% per year — whichever is less — and the landlord must provide a statement of interest due each year.
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends, the landlord has exactly 30 days to return the deposit. The refund must be accompanied by a written, itemized statement listing any deductions and the specific reason for each. Deductions are only permitted for unpaid rent and for damage beyond normal wear and tear — not for routine cleaning or normal aging of the unit.
Penalties for Violations: If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit, fails to return it within 30 days, fails to provide the required itemized statement, or otherwise fails to comply with § 15B, the tenant may be entitled to treble damages (three times the amount wrongfully withheld), plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. This penalty structure makes Massachusetts security deposit violations among the most consequential in the country for non-compliant landlords.
In Holliston, a landlord must follow a specific legal process to evict a tenant. Massachusetts law prohibits self-help eviction, and any attempt to remove a tenant outside the court process is illegal under M.G.L. c. 184, § 18.
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:
— Non-payment of rent: 14-day Notice to Quit (M.G.L. c. 186, § 11).
— No-fault / end of tenancy: 30-day written notice for month-to-month tenants, expiring at the end of a rental period (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12).
— Lease violations: The notice period may depend on the specific violation and the lease terms.
Step 2 — Summary Process Complaint: If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period expires, the landlord may file a Summary Process (eviction) complaint in Holliston District Court (Framingham District Court handles Holliston cases). The tenant will receive a summons with a court date.
Step 3 — Answer and Hearing: The tenant has the right to file a written Answer raising defenses — such as failure to maintain habitable conditions, improper notice, retaliation, or breach of the lease by the landlord. The court will hold a hearing at which both parties may present evidence.
Step 4 — Judgment and Execution: If the judge rules in the landlord's favor, the landlord receives a judgment and, after a waiting period, a writ of execution that authorizes a constable or sheriff to carry out the eviction. A tenant has 10 days to appeal after judgment. A landlord cannot personally remove a tenant's belongings or change the locks — only a constable or sheriff acting under a court-issued execution may do so.
Just Cause Eviction: Holliston has no just cause eviction ordinance. Unlike Boston, which enacted a Just Cause Eviction ordinance in 2024 requiring landlords to have a valid stated reason to terminate a tenancy, Holliston landlords may terminate a month-to-month tenancy for any lawful reason (or no stated reason) with proper advance notice. Tenants in Boston-specific employment or housing programs should confirm which rules apply to their situation.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under M.G.L. c. 184, § 18, a landlord who locks out a tenant, removes their belongings, shuts off heat or utilities, or otherwise attempts to force a tenant out without a court order may face civil liability and injunctive relief. Tenants facing a lockout should contact local police and seek emergency legal assistance immediately.
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws, local ordinances, and court interpretations can change, and the specific facts of your situation may significantly affect your legal rights. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing an eviction, a housing code dispute, a security deposit problem, or any other landlord-tenant issue in Holliston, Massachusetts, you should consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. Always verify current law with an attorney or official government source before taking action.
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