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Mansfield is a mid-sized town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, with a growing residential population and a significant share of renters — particularly near the town center and commuter rail corridors that connect to Providence and Boston. Renters in Mansfield frequently search for information about security deposit rules, eviction procedures, and what to do when a landlord refuses repairs.
Massachusetts provides some of the strongest baseline tenant protections in the country, and those state laws apply fully to every renter in Mansfield. From strict security deposit caps and interest requirements to robust habitability standards enforced by local boards of health, Mansfield tenants have meaningful legal tools at their disposal. However, the town has not enacted any local ordinances that go beyond state law, so renters here rely entirely on Massachusetts statutes for their protections.
This page explains the laws that apply to Mansfield renters as of April 2026. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific housing dispute, consult a qualified attorney or contact a legal aid organization serving Bristol County.
Mansfield has no rent control law, and there is no cap on how much a landlord can raise rent. Massachusetts voters approved a statewide ballot initiative (Question 9) in November 1994 that immediately abolished rent control in every Massachusetts municipality, including Cambridge, Boston, and Brookline, which had active ordinances at the time.
In 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature passed Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which repealed the 1994 prohibition and restored the legal authority for cities and towns to enact local rent stabilization ordinances. However, as of April 2026, no Massachusetts municipality — including Mansfield — has enacted a new rent control or rent stabilization ordinance under this authority.
In practical terms, this means Mansfield landlords may raise rent by any amount, at any time, as long as they provide proper written notice before the new rent takes effect (at least 30 days for month-to-month tenants under M.G.L. c. 186, § 12). There is no limit on how often increases can occur, and no requirement that increases be tied to inflation or operating costs. Tenants who cannot afford a proposed increase must either negotiate with their landlord or choose to vacate with proper notice.
Massachusetts law provides several important protections that apply to all Mansfield renters regardless of the absence of local ordinances.
Security Deposits (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 account at a Massachusetts bank, and the landlord must provide the tenant with the bank name, account number, and a receipt within 30 days. Interest accrues at the rate paid by the bank (or 5% per year, whichever is less) and must be paid to the tenant annually or credited against rent. Failure to comply with these requirements can forfeit the landlord's right to retain any portion of the deposit.
Habitability and the Sanitary Code (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L; 105 CMR 410.000): Landlords in Mansfield are required to maintain rental units in compliance with the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410). This includes providing adequate heat (at least 68°F from September 15 through June 15), hot water, working plumbing and electrical systems, structural soundness, and freedom from pest infestation. Tenants may report violations to the Mansfield Board of Health. If a landlord fails to remediate conditions that endanger health or safety, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, arrange repairs and deduct the cost from rent, or terminate the lease under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L.
Notice to Terminate Tenancy (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): A landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. The notice period must correspond to — and expire at the end of — a rental period. For example, if rent is due on the first of the month, a notice delivered on April 5 would not be effective until May 31 at the earliest. Tenants must provide the same 30-day notice to landlords when they intend to vacate.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who exercise their legal rights — such as reporting housing code violations, contacting the Board of Health, or organizing with other tenants. Any rent increase, reduction in services, or eviction notice delivered within six months of a protected tenant action is legally presumed to be retaliatory. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim may recover up to three months' rent plus attorney's fees.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): Self-help eviction is illegal in Massachusetts. A landlord who removes a tenant's belongings, changes the locks, or intentionally shuts off utilities to force a tenant out is liable for actual damages or three months' rent, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees.
Anti-Discrimination (M.G.L. c. 151B): Massachusetts prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, military status, and source of income (including housing vouchers). The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) handles complaints.
Massachusetts has some of the most detailed and tenant-protective security deposit laws in the country, and they apply in full to every rental in Mansfield under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.
Cap: The security deposit cannot exceed one month's rent, regardless of the term of the lease.
Separate Account Requirement: The landlord must deposit the funds in a separate, interest-bearing account at a Massachusetts bank within 30 days of receiving the deposit. The landlord must provide the tenant with a written receipt stating the bank name, account number, and the amount deposited.
Interest: The deposit earns interest at the rate paid by the bank or 5% per year, whichever is less. Interest must be paid to the tenant annually or credited toward rent. If the landlord fails to pay interest, the tenant may deduct it from a future rent payment.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the security deposit — along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenancy ends.
Permissible Deductions: Landlords may only deduct for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, or reasonable costs to restore the unit to its condition at move-in (documented by a move-in checklist signed by both parties). Deductions for normal wear and tear are not permitted.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: If a landlord fails to return the deposit within 30 days, fails to provide an itemized statement, commingles the deposit with other funds, or otherwise violates § 15B, the tenant may be entitled to treble damages (three times the amount wrongfully withheld), plus interest, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees. These penalties apply even if the landlord had a legitimate reason to make some deductions — procedural violations alone can trigger liability.
Evictions in Mansfield follow the Massachusetts summary process, governed primarily by M.G.L. c. 239 (the Summary Process statute) and related procedural rules. The process has multiple mandatory steps, and landlords who skip any step may have their case dismissed.
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:
Step 2 — Summons and Complaint: If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period expires, the landlord may file a Summary Process Summons and Complaint at the Southeast Housing Court (which has jurisdiction over Bristol County, including Mansfield). Filing fees apply. The court will set a hearing date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to raise defenses, including improper notice, habitability issues (as a rent withholding defense), or retaliation. Tenants may also request a jury trial in many cases under M.G.L. c. 239, § 2A.
Step 4 — Judgment and Execution: If the landlord prevails, the court enters a judgment and, after a waiting period, may issue an Execution (a writ authorizing a constable to remove the tenant). Tenants may appeal or request a stay of execution.
Just Cause Eviction: Mansfield has no just-cause eviction ordinance. Landlords are not required to give a reason for terminating a month-to-month tenancy, as long as proper notice is given. (Note: Boston enacted a Just Cause Eviction ordinance in 2024, but it applies only within Boston city limits.)
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14, a landlord may never remove a tenant by changing the locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or removing the tenant's belongings. These acts are illegal even if the tenant owes rent. A landlord who engages in self-help eviction is liable for actual damages or three months' rent (whichever is greater) plus attorney's fees.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the specific facts of your situation may affect how the law applies to you. Mansfield renters with active disputes — including evictions, security deposit claims, or habitability problems — should consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact a legal aid organization serving Bristol County. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it.
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