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Kingston is a town of roughly 14,000 residents in Plymouth County, situated about 35 miles south of Boston along the South Shore. While Kingston is a smaller community compared to Massachusetts' urban centers, renters here are fully covered by the Commonwealth's comprehensive set of tenant protections — among the strongest in the United States. These state-level rules govern everything from how landlords must handle security deposits to the conditions they must maintain in rental units.
Kingston has no local rent control ordinance and no additional municipal tenant protections beyond what Massachusetts state law provides. That means renters in Kingston rely primarily on the Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.) and the state Sanitary Code for their core protections. Key topics Kingston renters most commonly research include security deposit rules, eviction notice requirements, repair obligations, and retaliation protections.
This article is intended as an informational overview of tenant rights in Kingston, Massachusetts. It is not legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — if you face an eviction, habitability dispute, or other serious housing issue, consult a qualified attorney or a local legal aid organization.
Kingston has no rent control, and Massachusetts state law has historically restricted municipalities from enacting it. In November 1994, Massachusetts voters passed Question 9, a statewide ballot initiative that abolished rent control in every city and town in the Commonwealth, including communities like Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline that had long-standing local programs. That repeal took effect on January 1, 1995.
In 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which removed the statewide prohibition and once again permitted cities and towns to adopt rent stabilization ordinances if they choose. However, as of April 2026, no Massachusetts municipality — including Kingston — has enacted a new rent control or rent stabilization ordinance under this authority. As a result, there is currently no limit on how much a landlord in Kingston can raise rent, provided they give proper advance notice.
In practice, this means Kingston landlords may set rents at market rates and raise them at the end of a lease term or with appropriate notice for month-to-month tenancies. Renters should carefully review any rent increase notice to confirm it was delivered with the legally required 30-day (or longer) advance notice under M.G.L. c. 186, § 12, and that it takes effect at the end of a rental period.
Massachusetts provides robust statutory protections for all renters, including those in Kingston. The key protections under state law are summarized below.
Security Deposits (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B): Massachusetts imposes some of the strictest security deposit rules in the country. A landlord may not collect more than one month's rent as a security deposit. 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 deposit amount within 30 days of receiving it. At the end of the tenancy, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit with any accrued interest, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Failure to comply can expose the landlord to treble damages plus attorney's fees.
Habitability and Repairs (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L; 105 CMR 410): All rental units in Kingston must comply with the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code, 105 CMR 410.000. Landlords are required to provide heat (at least 68°F between September 16 and June 14), hot water, working plumbing and electrical systems, weatherproofing, and freedom from pest infestation. Tenants who discover code violations may report them to Kingston's local board of health. If a landlord fails to remedy serious violations after notice, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, use the repair-and-deduct remedy (up to four months' rent per year), or terminate the lease under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L.
Notice to Terminate Tenancy (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): For a month-to-month tenancy, either the landlord or the tenant must give at least 30 days' written notice to end the tenancy, and that 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 need to run at least through May 31. Fixed-term leases typically end by their own terms without additional notice unless the lease specifies otherwise.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who exercise their legal rights — such as reporting code violations, organizing with other tenants, or withholding rent for habitability reasons. Under M.G.L. c. 186, § 18, if a landlord takes adverse action (raises rent, reduces services, or begins eviction proceedings) within six months after a tenant engages in a protected activity, the law presumes the action is retaliatory. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim may recover actual damages, up to three months' rent, and attorney's fees.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): Self-help eviction is illegal in Massachusetts. A landlord may not remove a tenant by changing the locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or otherwise interfering with the tenant's quiet enjoyment without going through the formal court process. A landlord who violates this provision is liable for actual damages or three months' rent (whichever is greater), plus attorney's fees, under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14.
Anti-Discrimination (M.G.L. c. 151B): Massachusetts law prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, military status, and several other characteristics. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) enforces these protections and accepts housing discrimination complaints.
Massachusetts security deposit law (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B) is among the most tenant-protective in the nation, and it applies fully to renters in Kingston.
Maximum amount: A landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding one month's rent. In addition to the security deposit, a landlord may collect the first month's rent, last month's rent, and the cost of a new lock and key — but nothing more at move-in.
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 deposited. The tenant is entitled to annual interest on the deposit (or 5% per year, whichever is lower).
Condition statement: Within 10 days of move-in (or 10 days after the deposit is received, whichever is later), the landlord must provide the tenant with a written statement of the condition of the unit. If the landlord does not provide this statement, they generally forfeit the right to make deductions from the deposit for damages.
Return deadline: The landlord must return the security deposit — along with any accrued interest and an itemized written list of deductions — within 30 days after the tenancy ends. Deductions are permitted only for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and certain unpaid utility charges.
Penalties for non-compliance: If the landlord fails to return the deposit within 30 days, fails to provide the required bank information, commingles the deposit with other funds, or makes improper deductions, the tenant may be entitled to recover three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus interest, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(7).
Evictions in Kingston follow the Massachusetts summary process procedure governed by M.G.L. c. 239 (the Summary Process Act) and applicable notice requirements under M.G.L. c. 186. A landlord must follow every step of the formal legal process — there are no shortcuts.
Step 1 — Notice to Quit: Before filing in court, a landlord must serve the tenant with a written Notice to Quit. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction: (a) Non-payment of rent: 14-day Notice to Quit (M.G.L. c. 186, § 11); (b) Lease violation or cause: typically a 30-day Notice to Quit for a month-to-month tenancy; (c) No-fault termination of month-to-month tenancy: at least 30 days' notice expiring at the end of a rental period (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12). The notice must be served by hand delivery or by leaving it at the last and usual place of abode.
Step 2 — Summons and Complaint: If the tenant does not vacate or cure the issue within the notice period, the landlord may file a Summary Process Summons and Complaint in the Plymouth County Housing Court or local District Court. The tenant must be formally served with the summons, which will include a hearing date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: The tenant has the right to appear at the hearing and present defenses, including habitability violations, improper notice, retaliation, or discrimination. Tenants facing non-payment evictions may be able to use a payment agreement or raise an offsetting counterclaim for conditions violations. Hearings are typically scheduled within 10 to 14 days of filing.
Step 4 — Judgment and Execution: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered. The landlord must then obtain a separate document called a Writ of Execution. There is typically a 10-day period after judgment during which the tenant may appeal or seek a stay. The Writ of Execution may not be issued until at least 48 hours after the judgment (for non-payment cases) or 10 days after (for other cases).
Step 5 — Constable Removal: Only a licensed constable or sheriff — not the landlord — may carry out a physical eviction pursuant to a Writ of Execution. The constable must give the tenant at least 48 hours' notice before removing them.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14, a landlord who locks out a tenant, removes belongings, shuts off utilities, or takes any other action to force a tenant out without going through the court process is liable for three times the monthly rent or actual damages — whichever is greater — plus attorney's fees. Kingston renters who experience an illegal lockout or utility shutoff should contact local police and a legal aid organization immediately.
Just Cause Eviction: Kingston has no just-cause eviction requirement. Boston's 2024 Just Cause Eviction ordinance applies only within the City of Boston and does not extend to Plymouth County municipalities.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The tenant rights information presented here reflects Massachusetts law and local rules as of April 2026, but laws and ordinances can change. Every housing situation is unique, and the application of the law to your specific circumstances may differ from the general summaries provided here. If you are facing an eviction, security deposit dispute, habitability issue, or any other serious housing matter, you should consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe makes no representations or warranties about the completeness or accuracy of the information on this page and is not responsible for any actions taken in reliance on it.
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