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Plymouth, Massachusetts — the site of the first Pilgrim settlement — is today a mid-sized coastal community of roughly 63,000 residents in Plymouth County, located about 40 miles southeast of Boston. The town has seen steady population growth as renters priced out of Greater Boston increasingly look to the South Shore for housing. That demand has made understanding tenant rights in Plymouth more important than ever.
Plymouth renters are governed entirely by Massachusetts state law, which is among the most tenant-protective in the nation. The Massachusetts Security Deposit Law (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B), the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410), and strong anti-retaliation provisions (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18) provide significant protections on deposits, habitability, and eviction procedure. Plymouth has enacted no local tenant ordinances beyond what state law requires.
This page is an informational overview of tenant rights in Plymouth, MA and is not legal advice. Laws change and individual circumstances vary — if you are facing an eviction or believe your landlord has violated your rights, consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact a legal aid organization in your area.
Plymouth has no rent control, and Massachusetts state law does not permit any municipality to enact it without specific enabling legislation. Massachusetts voters passed Question 9 in November 1994, a statewide ballot initiative that repealed rent control ordinances that had existed in Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline, and effectively ended rent regulation across the Commonwealth.
In 2020, Governor Baker signed Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which removed the statewide ban on rent control and restored the theoretical ability of municipalities to enact their own ordinances. However, as of April 2026, no Massachusetts city or town — including Plymouth — has enacted a new rent control ordinance. Plymouth landlords may therefore raise rent to any amount upon proper notice and the expiration of a lease term.
In practical terms, this means Plymouth renters on month-to-month tenancies can receive a rent increase with as little as 30 days' written notice (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12), and there is no cap on how much a landlord can increase rent. Tenants with fixed-term leases are protected from rent increases until their lease expires. Monitoring the Plymouth Town Council and the Massachusetts Legislature for future rent stabilization developments is advisable for renters concerned about affordability.
Massachusetts provides renters with robust statewide protections across several key areas. All of these apply to Plymouth tenants in full.
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 account at a Massachusetts bank, and the landlord must provide the tenant with a receipt and the bank's name and account number within 30 days. Upon move-out, the landlord must return the deposit within 30 days along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Violations can result in the tenant recovering up to three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus attorney's fees.
Habitability & Repairs (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L; 105 CMR 410): All Massachusetts rental units must comply with the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410), which sets minimum standards for heat, hot water, structural integrity, pest control, and more. Landlords must maintain units in a habitable condition throughout the tenancy. If a landlord fails to make required repairs after receiving written notice, a Plymouth tenant may: report violations to the Plymouth Board of Health; withhold rent; use the repair-and-deduct remedy (up to four months' rent in a 12-month period, M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L); or terminate the lease under certain conditions.
Notice to Terminate (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): To end a month-to-month tenancy, either party must give at least 30 days' written notice. The notice must be timed to expire at the end of a rental period (e.g., the last day of the month). Oral notice is insufficient — written notice is required for enforceability.
Anti-Retaliation (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): Landlords are prohibited from raising rent, reducing services, or initiating eviction in response to a tenant exercising any legal right — such as reporting a housing code violation, contacting the Board of Health, or organizing with other tenants. If a landlord takes any adverse action within six months of a tenant's protected activity, the law presumes the action is retaliatory. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim may recover up to three months' rent or actual damages, whichever is greater, plus court costs and attorney's fees.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): Self-help evictions are illegal in Massachusetts. A landlord who removes a tenant's belongings, changes the locks, or shuts off utilities (heat, electricity, water) to force a tenant out commits a civil violation. Tenants subjected to an illegal lockout may recover actual damages or three months' rent — whichever is greater — plus attorney's fees, without needing to vacate the premises.
Anti-Discrimination (M.G.L. c. 151B): Massachusetts fair housing law prohibits discrimination in rental housing based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, military/veteran status, receipt of public assistance, and several other characteristics. Plymouth tenants who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).
Massachusetts has some of the most tenant-protective security deposit rules in the country, and they apply in full to all Plymouth rental agreements under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.
Cap: A landlord in Plymouth may not collect a security deposit greater than one month's rent. This limit applies regardless of what the lease says — any clause requiring a larger deposit is unenforceable under state law.
Holding Requirements: The deposit must be placed in a separate, interest-bearing account at a Massachusetts financial institution within 30 days of receipt. The landlord must provide the tenant with a written receipt identifying the bank's name, branch address, and account number. The tenant is entitled to the interest accrued on the deposit each year (or at the end of the tenancy), minus a 1% administration fee the landlord may retain.
Condition Statement: At the start of the tenancy, the landlord must provide a written statement of the condition of the unit. If the tenant disagrees with any item on the statement, they have 15 days to note their objections in writing.
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends, the landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit along with any accrued interest, minus any lawful deductions. Deductions are permitted only for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear (documented with receipts or invoices), and unpaid real estate taxes (if the tenant was obligated to pay them under the lease).
Penalties for Violations: If a landlord fails to return the deposit on time, fails to provide the required documentation, or makes unlawful deductions, the tenant may be entitled to recover three times the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(7)). Even minor technical violations — such as failing to provide the bank account number — can expose a landlord to these treble damages.
Plymouth landlords must follow the formal eviction process established by Massachusetts law. Self-help evictions — such as changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities — are illegal under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14 and expose landlords to significant liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing an eviction action, the landlord must serve a written notice on the tenant. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Summary Process Complaint: If the tenant does not vacate after proper notice, the landlord must file a Summary Process (eviction) complaint in Plymouth District Court or Plymouth Housing Court. The tenant is served with a Summons and Complaint and must appear at the scheduled hearing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: At the hearing, both parties can present evidence. Tenants have the right to raise defenses including improper notice, retaliation, failure to maintain habitable conditions, and violations of the security deposit law. Tenants may also request a jury trial in certain cases.
Step 4 — Judgment & Execution: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it issues a judgment for possession. A writ of execution is then issued, allowing a constable or sheriff to carry out the removal. Landlords must wait for this court-issued writ — they cannot remove the tenant themselves.
Illegal Lockouts: If a landlord locks a Plymouth tenant out, removes their belongings, or shuts off heat, electricity, or water to force them to leave, the tenant may sue under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14 and recover the greater of actual damages or three months' rent, plus attorney's fees. Tenants subjected to an illegal lockout should contact local police and a legal aid organization immediately.
This page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented here reflects laws and regulations as of April 2026 and may not reflect subsequent changes in Massachusetts statutes, local ordinances, or court interpretations. Every tenant's situation is unique, and this content cannot substitute for advice from a licensed Massachusetts attorney or qualified legal aid organization. If you are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other housing legal matter in Plymouth, MA, please consult an attorney or contact one of the legal aid resources listed above to discuss your specific circumstances.
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