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Lakeville is a small town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, situated in the southeastern part of the state. While it lacks the density of Boston or Worcester, renters in Lakeville are fully covered by Massachusetts state law — widely regarded as one of the most tenant-protective legal frameworks in the United States. Key concerns for Lakeville tenants typically include security deposit compliance, habitability standards, and understanding the eviction process.
Massachusetts law sets firm rules on how landlords must handle security deposits, maintain rental properties, and provide notice before ending a tenancy. The state's sanitary code (105 CMR 410) and the consumer protection chapter (M.G.L. c. 93A) give tenants meaningful tools to hold landlords accountable. Renters in Lakeville should understand these rights so they can recognize when a landlord is acting outside the law.
This article is intended as general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you are facing an eviction, a habitability dispute, or another housing legal matter, consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or a qualified legal aid organization.
Lakeville has no rent control ordinance, and there is no cap on how much a landlord may increase rent between tenancies or upon lease renewal. This is consistent with the rest of Massachusetts, where rent control was effectively eliminated by a statewide ballot initiative — Question 9 — passed by voters in November 1994. That vote repealed rent control in the three municipalities that had it: Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline.
The landscape shifted slightly in 2020 when the Massachusetts Legislature passed Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which removed the statewide prohibition on rent control and theoretically allowed municipalities to enact their own ordinances again. However, as of April 2026, no Massachusetts city or town — including Lakeville — has enacted a new rent control ordinance. Lakeville, as a small Plymouth County town, has not pursued any local rent stabilization measure.
In practical terms, this means a Lakeville landlord can raise rent by any amount when a lease ends or when renewing on a month-to-month basis, as long as they provide the legally required notice (at least 30 days for month-to-month tenancies under M.G.L. c. 186, § 12). There is no limit on the size of that increase. Tenants who cannot afford the new rent have the right to vacate after proper notice has been given.
Massachusetts provides a robust set of tenant protections that apply fully to Lakeville renters. Below are the most important categories:
Security Deposit Rules (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B): Landlords may not collect a security deposit exceeding one month's rent. The deposit must be held in a separate, interest-bearing bank account, and the tenant must receive written notice of the bank name, address, and account number within 30 days of deposit. Landlords must return the deposit — along with accrued interest — within 30 days of the tenancy ending, accompanied by an itemized written statement of any deductions. Failure to comply can expose the landlord to treble damages plus attorney's fees.
Habitability and the Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410; M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L): Every rental unit in Massachusetts must comply with the state Sanitary Code, which sets minimum standards for heat, hot water, plumbing, electrical systems, structural integrity, and pest control. Tenants may report violations to the Lakeville Board of Health, which has authority to order landlord compliance. If a landlord fails to repair conditions that endanger health or safety, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, use the repair-and-deduct remedy, or terminate the lease under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L. Heat must be provided at a minimum of 68°F from September 15 through June 15 (105 CMR 410.201).
Notice to Terminate a Tenancy (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): A landlord must give a month-to-month tenant at least 30 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy. The notice must be timed to expire at the end of a rental period. Tenants have the same obligation to give 30 days' notice before vacating. For tenancies at will, the notice requirements also follow M.G.L. c. 186, § 12.
Anti-Retaliation Protections (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): Landlords in Massachusetts are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who exercise legal rights — such as reporting code violations, contacting a health inspector, or organizing with other tenants. If a landlord raises rent, reduces services, or begins eviction proceedings within six months of a tenant's protected activity, retaliation is legally presumed. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim may recover actual damages, up to three months' rent, attorney's fees, and costs.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): A landlord may not lock a tenant out, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or otherwise interfere with a tenant's quiet enjoyment in order to force them out. Such conduct is illegal under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14, and a tenant who is subjected to it may recover actual damages or three months' rent — whichever is greater — plus attorney's fees.
Consumer Protection (M.G.L. c. 93A): Unfair or deceptive acts by a landlord — including illegal lockouts, fraudulent security deposit practices, or failure to disclose known defects — may also constitute violations of the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act. Tenants who prevail under c. 93A may be entitled to double or treble damages.
Massachusetts has some of the strictest security deposit rules in the country, and they apply fully to Lakeville landlords under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.
Cap on Amount: A landlord may not collect a security deposit greater than one month's rent. Any amount collected above that limit is illegal.
Separate Interest-Bearing Account: The landlord must deposit the funds in a separate bank account — not commingled with the landlord's personal or business funds — at a Massachusetts bank. The landlord must provide the tenant with written notice of the bank's name, address, and the account number within 30 days of receiving the deposit. Interest accrues annually at the rate paid by the bank, or 5% per year, whichever is less, and must be paid to the tenant each year or credited against rent.
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends, the landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit along with any accrued interest. If the landlord intends to make deductions, they must provide a detailed written itemization within the same 30-day period. Deductions may only be taken for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, or unpaid increases in real estate taxes (if the lease provides for such).
Penalties for Non-Compliance: If a landlord fails to return the deposit on time, fails to provide the required itemized statement, commingles funds, or otherwise violates § 15B, the tenant may be entitled to treble (triple) damages — meaning three times the amount wrongfully withheld — plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. These penalties make Massachusetts security deposit law among the most tenant-favorable in the nation.
Last Month's Rent: Landlords may also collect a last month's rent payment at the start of the tenancy, but this is governed by separate provisions of § 15B and is distinct from the security deposit. It must also earn interest at the same rate.
Eviction in Massachusetts is a court-supervised process governed primarily by M.G.L. c. 239 (the Summary Process statute) and M.G.L. c. 186. A Lakeville landlord must follow every step correctly or risk having the case dismissed.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must give proper written notice. The type and length of notice depend on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord must file a Summary Process complaint in the local Housing Court or District Court. For Lakeville, cases are typically heard in the Southeast Housing Court (Brockton). The landlord must pay a filing fee and properly serve the tenant with a Summons and Complaint.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: The tenant has the right to appear and present a defense. Valid defenses under Massachusetts law include improper notice, retaliation (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18), breach of the implied warranty of habitability, and improper handling of the security deposit. Tenants may also raise counterclaims. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within 10–14 days of service.
Step 4 — Judgment and Appeal: If the court rules for the landlord, the tenant typically has 10 days to appeal before an execution (order of removal) can issue. A tenant who appeals must usually pay ongoing use-and-occupancy into court. A constable or sheriff — not the landlord — must carry out any physical eviction pursuant to a valid execution.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): A landlord may never resort to self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities, or removing doors — to force a tenant out. This conduct is prohibited regardless of how much rent is owed. A tenant who experiences an illegal lockout or utility shutoff may seek an emergency court order and may be entitled to recover the greater of actual damages or three months' rent, plus attorney's fees.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this page reflects Massachusetts law as of April 2026 and is intended to help renters understand their general rights. Laws and local ordinances can change, and individual circumstances vary. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing an eviction, a habitability dispute, a security deposit issue, or any other housing legal matter, you should consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area for advice specific to your situation.
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