Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Middleborough is a mid-sized town in Plymouth County, southeastern Massachusetts, with a growing rental market that includes single-family homes, multi-family properties, and newer apartment complexes. Renters in Middleborough are governed entirely by Massachusetts state law, which provides some of the strongest tenant protections in the country — particularly around security deposits, habitability, and landlord retaliation — even though the town itself has enacted no additional local tenant ordinances.
The questions Middleborough renters most commonly have involve security deposit returns, what notice a landlord must give before ending a tenancy, and what remedies are available when a landlord refuses to make repairs. Each of these topics is addressed directly by Massachusetts General Laws, and understanding those statutes can make a significant difference in protecting your rights as a renter in Plymouth County.
This page provides a plain-language overview of your rights as a Middleborough tenant. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and your individual situation may involve facts that require guidance from a qualified attorney or legal aid organization.
Middleborough has no rent control, and no cap on how much a landlord can raise your rent. Massachusetts voters approved a statewide ballot measure (Question 9) in November 1994 that immediately repealed all local rent control ordinances — including those in Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline — and prohibited municipalities from enacting new ones. That prohibition remained in force for decades.
In 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature passed Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which lifted the statewide ban and once again allowed cities and towns to adopt rent stabilization ordinances if they chose to do so. However, as of April 2026, no Massachusetts municipality — including Middleborough — has enacted a new rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. This means landlords in Middleborough may raise rent by any amount, at any time, as long as they provide proper advance notice before the increase takes effect at the start of a new rental period.
In practice, Middleborough renters on month-to-month leases should be aware that a rent increase functions like a tenancy termination and re-offer: the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice before the new rent applies (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12). Tenants with fixed-term leases are protected from increases until the lease expires, at which point the landlord may set a new rent upon renewal.
Massachusetts provides a robust set of tenant protections under state law that apply in full to Middleborough renters.
Security Deposit Rules (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B): Landlords in Massachusetts may not collect a security deposit exceeding one month's rent. The deposit must be held in a separate, interest-bearing bank account in Massachusetts, and tenants must receive written notice of the bank name, address, and account number within 30 days of payment. Landlords must also provide a receipt at the time of collection. Upon move-out, the deposit must be returned — with accrued interest — within 30 days, accompanied by an itemized written statement of any deductions. Violations of the security deposit statute can expose a landlord to treble (triple) damages plus attorney's fees.
Habitability and the State Sanitary Code (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L; 105 CMR 410): Every residential rental unit in Massachusetts must comply with the State Sanitary Code, which sets minimum standards for heat, hot water, plumbing, structural integrity, pest control, and more. Landlords must provide heat to at least 68°F between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. and at least 64°F at all other times from September 16 through June 14. Tenants who identify code violations can report them to the Middleborough Board of Health, which is authorized to inspect and order remediation. Where violations are serious, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, repair-and-deduct (for repairs costing up to four months' rent), or terminate the lease without penalty under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L.
Notice Requirements for Termination (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 before terminating. The notice must be timed to expire at the end of a rental period — for example, if rent is due on the first, a notice given on February 5 cannot terminate the tenancy until March 31 at the earliest. Fixed-term leases end automatically on the lease expiration date without additional notice unless the lease specifies otherwise.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): Massachusetts law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who exercise their legal rights. Protected activities include reporting housing code violations to a government agency, requesting repairs, organizing with other tenants, or filing a complaint with a court or regulatory body. If a landlord raises rent, reduces services, or initiates eviction proceedings within six months of a tenant engaging in a protected activity, the law presumes the action is retaliatory. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim may recover up to three months' rent, attorney's fees, and other costs.
Prohibition on Lockouts and Utility Shutoffs (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): A landlord may not remove a tenant from a rental unit by changing the locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or taking any other self-help action. Such conduct is illegal regardless of whether the tenant owes back rent. A tenant who is subjected to an illegal lockout or utility shutoff may sue for actual damages or up to three months' rent — whichever is greater — plus attorney's fees.
Massachusetts has some of the strictest security deposit rules in the United States, and they apply in full to every residential rental in Middleborough. The governing statute is M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.
Cap: A landlord may not collect a security deposit greater than one month's rent. Any amount collected in excess of one month's rent is unlawful.
Holding Requirements: The deposit must be deposited in a separate, interest-bearing account at a Massachusetts bank within 30 days of receipt. The landlord must give the tenant written notice of the bank name, address, and account number. 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.
Move-In Documentation: At the time of collecting the deposit (or within 10 days of move-in), the landlord must provide a written statement of the condition of the premises — a move-in checklist — signed by the landlord. The tenant has 15 days to return the checklist with any additions or corrections. This document is critical evidence if there is a dispute at move-out.
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit (plus accrued interest) along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Deductions are only permitted for unpaid rent and for damages beyond normal wear and tear that are documented with receipts or written estimates from third-party contractors.
Penalties for Violations: If a landlord fails to comply with any provision of § 15B — including failing to hold the deposit in a proper account, failing to provide required notices, or wrongfully withholding the deposit — the tenant may sue and recover treble (triple) the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. Courts in Massachusetts have consistently ruled that even technical violations of the deposit statute (such as failing to provide the bank account notice on time) can trigger these penalties.
Eviction in Massachusetts is a court-supervised process. Landlords in Middleborough must follow specific legal steps and cannot remove a tenant without a court order. The governing statutes include M.G.L. c. 186, § 11 through § 13, and the summary process statutes at M.G.L. c. 239.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice. The type and duration of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
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 the Eastern Housing Court (which covers Plymouth County) or the appropriate District Court. The tenant will receive a summons with a court date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to present defenses, including habitability issues, retaliation, or procedural defects in the notice. The court may schedule a mediation session before the hearing. If the landlord prevails, the court issues a judgment for possession.
Step 4 — Execution and Move-Out: After judgment, the court issues an execution — the legal document authorizing a constable or sheriff to remove the tenant. Tenants typically have at least 10 days after judgment before an execution can be issued, and may request a stay of execution for up to six months (or 12 months if elderly or disabled) under M.G.L. c. 239, § 9.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14, a landlord may never evict a tenant by changing the locks, removing belongings, shutting off heat or utilities, or using any form of physical force or intimidation. Doing so exposes the landlord to liability for actual damages or three months' rent — whichever is greater — plus attorney's fees, regardless of whether the tenant owes rent.
Just Cause Eviction: Middleborough has no just-cause eviction ordinance. Landlords are not required to state a reason for terminating a month-to-month tenancy, provided proper notice is given. (Note: Boston enacted a Just Cause Eviction ordinance in 2024, but that ordinance applies only within Boston city limits.)
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Middleborough renters with questions about their rights — particularly in connection with eviction, security deposit disputes, or habitability conditions — should consult a qualified Massachusetts attorney or contact a local legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for any actions taken in reliance on it.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.