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North Attleborough Town is a mid-sized community in Bristol County, Massachusetts, with a mix of renters and homeowners. Like all Massachusetts municipalities, North Attleborough Town operates under the state's robust tenant protection framework, which covers security deposits, habitability standards, anti-retaliation, and eviction procedures. The town itself has enacted no additional local tenant ordinances beyond what state law provides.
Renters in North Attleborough Town most commonly seek information about security deposit rules, what to do when a landlord fails to make repairs, and what protections they have if facing eviction. Massachusetts law addresses all of these issues with specific statutory requirements that apply equally throughout the Commonwealth, including in North Attleborough Town. Understanding these rights can make a significant difference in a renter's ability to stay housed and recover money owed.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. Renters facing serious housing issues should consult a qualified attorney or local legal aid organization.
North Attleborough Town has no rent control ordinance. Massachusetts voters passed a statewide ballot measure — Question 9 — in November 1994 that banned rent control across the entire Commonwealth. This effectively ended rent control in every city and town, including communities like Cambridge, Boston, and Brookline that had previously maintained local rent stabilization programs.
In 2020, the Massachusetts legislature passed Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which lifted the 1994 prohibition and theoretically allows municipalities to enact new rent control or rent stabilization ordinances if they choose to do so. However, as of April 2026, no Massachusetts city or town — including North Attleborough Town — has enacted a new rent control ordinance under this authority.
In practical terms, this means that landlords in North Attleborough Town are free to raise rents to any amount they choose at the end of a lease term or upon proper notice for month-to-month tenants. There is no cap on annual rent increases and no requirement that a landlord justify a rent hike. Tenants should carefully review their lease terms and understand that their best protection against large increases is negotiating lease renewals and knowing their rights under state law regarding notice periods and retaliation.
Massachusetts provides renters with some of the strongest statewide tenant protections in the country. The following key protections apply to all renters in North Attleborough Town.
Security Deposit (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 and account number within 30 days of receipt. The landlord must also provide the tenant with a statement of the condition of the premises at the start of the tenancy. Failure to comply with these requirements gives the tenant grounds to demand the deposit back immediately.
Habitability and Sanitary Code (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L; 105 CMR 410): Massachusetts landlords are legally required to maintain rental units in compliance with the State Sanitary Code, which sets minimum standards for heat, hot water, plumbing, electrical systems, structural soundness, and pest control. Tenants may report violations to the North Attleborough Town Board of Health. If conditions are severe, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, use a repair-and-deduct remedy, or terminate the lease with proper notice under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L.
Notice to Terminate (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): A landlord must provide a month-to-month tenant with at least 30 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy. The notice must be timed so that it expires at the end of a rental period — meaning a notice given mid-month cannot require the tenant to leave until the end of the following rental period. Tenants on fixed-term leases are protected until the lease expires unless the landlord has grounds for earlier termination.
Anti-Retaliation (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who exercise their legal rights — such as reporting code violations, contacting the board of health, organizing with other tenants, or filing a complaint. Any rent increase, service reduction, or eviction action taken within six months of a protected act is presumed retaliatory by law. 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 lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or interfere with a tenant's quiet enjoyment as a method of forcing the tenant to leave. Tenants subjected to such conduct may sue for injunctive relief and recover actual damages or up to three months' rent, plus attorney's fees, whichever is greater.
Anti-Discrimination (M.G.L. c. 151B): Massachusetts law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, familial status, age, ancestry, marital status, receipt of public assistance (including Section 8 vouchers), and other protected classes. Complaints may be filed with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).
Massachusetts has some of the most detailed and tenant-protective security deposit rules in the United States, all codified at M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B. These rules apply in full to all rental housing in North Attleborough Town.
Cap: A landlord may not collect a security deposit greater than one month's rent. Landlords also cannot collect more than one month's last month's rent, a security deposit, and the first month's rent at the start of a tenancy — in total, a landlord can collect no more than first month's rent, last month's rent, a security deposit equal to one month's rent, and the cost of a new lock and key.
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 give the tenant written notice of the bank name, branch address, and account number. Interest accrues annually at the rate paid by the bank, and the landlord must pay the tenant interest each year (or credit it toward rent).
Condition Statement: At the time of collecting the deposit, the landlord must provide a written statement of the condition of the premises. The tenant has 15 days to add to or correct this statement. Failure to provide this statement can forfeit the landlord's right to make deductions.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the deposit — along with any accrued interest and an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates the unit. Deductions are only permitted for unpaid rent or actual damage caused by the tenant beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of a security deposit, the tenant is entitled to recover three times (treble) the amount wrongfully withheld, plus interest, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(7). Courts in Massachusetts have consistently enforced this penalty, making security deposit violations among the most consequential mistakes a landlord can make.
Eviction (called a "summary process" action in Massachusetts) is governed by M.G.L. c. 239 and must follow a strict legal process. A landlord in North Attleborough Town cannot remove a tenant without going through the courts.
Step 1 — Notice to Quit: Before filing for eviction, the 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 in the Southeast Housing Court (which covers Bristol County). The tenant is served with the summons and given a court date, typically within 10 days of filing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: At the hearing, both the landlord and tenant may present evidence. Tenants have the right to assert defenses such as the landlord's failure to maintain the property, retaliation, discrimination, or improper notice. Tenants may also raise counterclaims for security deposit violations or other landlord misconduct. Legal representation is strongly advised.
Step 4 — Judgment and Execution: If the court rules in favor of the landlord, it issues a judgment for possession. After 10 days (the appeal period), the landlord may request an Execution, which is the legal document authorizing a constable or sheriff to remove the tenant. Only a court officer may carry out the physical removal.
Just Cause: North Attleborough Town does not have a just cause eviction ordinance. The Town of Boston's 2024 Just Cause Eviction Ordinance does not apply here. Landlords are not required to state a reason for ending a month-to-month tenancy as long as proper notice is given.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14, a landlord may never lock out a tenant, remove belongings, shut off heat or utilities, or physically force a tenant to leave outside of the formal court process. Doing so exposes the landlord to significant liability, including damages of three months' rent or actual damages, 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 in Massachusetts — including statutes, regulations, and local ordinances — can change, and individual circumstances vary widely. Renters in North Attleborough Town who are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, habitability issues, or any other serious housing matter should consult a qualified Massachusetts attorney or contact a local legal aid organization such as Community Legal Aid or Greater Boston Legal Services. RentCheckMe makes no warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not liable for any action taken in reliance on it.
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