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Rehoboth is a small, largely rural town in Bristol County, Massachusetts, with a modest rental market made up primarily of single-family homes and small multi-family properties. While Rehoboth does not have a large renter population compared to urban centers like Boston or Worcester, tenants here are fully protected by Massachusetts state law — one of the strongest sets of residential tenant protections in the United States.
Renters in Rehoboth most commonly have questions about security deposit rules, what notice a landlord must give before ending a tenancy, and what to do when a rental unit falls into disrepair. Massachusetts law addresses all of these issues with specific statutes, strict deadlines, and meaningful remedies for tenants who are wronged. Because Rehoboth has no local ordinances beyond state law, the Massachusetts General Laws are the primary — and comprehensive — source of renter rights here.
This page summarizes the laws that apply to Rehoboth renters. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific legal problem, please contact a qualified attorney or a legal aid organization in your area.
Rehoboth has no rent control, and Massachusetts state law currently prohibits any municipality from enforcing a rent control ordinance. In November 1994, Massachusetts voters approved Question 9, a statewide ballot initiative that immediately repealed rent control in every city and town where it existed — including Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline — and barred future local rent control measures.
In 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature passed Chapter 358, which lifted the blanket prohibition and theoretically allows cities and towns to enact new rent stabilization ordinances. However, as of April 2026, no Massachusetts municipality — including Rehoboth — has enacted a new rent control or rent stabilization ordinance under this authority. Rehoboth, as a small town with no home-rule rent control tradition, has taken no steps in that direction.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Rehoboth can raise your rent by any amount, at any time, provided they give you proper advance written notice before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, that means at least 30 days' notice (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12). For tenants with a fixed-term lease, the rent cannot change until the lease expires unless the lease itself permits mid-term increases.
Massachusetts provides robust statewide protections for all residential tenants, including those in Rehoboth. The following protections apply regardless of any local ordinance.
Security Deposit (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B): Massachusetts limits the security deposit to no more than one month's rent. The landlord must deposit the funds in a separate, interest-bearing bank account within the state, provide the tenant with written notice of the bank name and account number within 30 days of receiving the deposit, and pay the tenant annual interest. Failure to comply with any of these requirements can entitle the tenant to immediate return of the full deposit plus damages.
Habitability and the Sanitary Code (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L; 105 CMR 410): Massachusetts landlords are required to maintain rental units in compliance with the State Sanitary Code, which sets minimum standards for heat, hot water, structural integrity, pest control, and more. Tenants may report violations to the Rehoboth Board of Health or the Bristol County Department of Health. If violations are serious and uncorrected, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, arrange repairs and deduct the cost from rent, or terminate the lease.
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 — meaning a notice given mid-month cannot end the tenancy until after the following rent due date. Tenants must give the landlord the same 30-day notice if they wish to vacate.
Anti-Retaliation Protections (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): It is illegal for a landlord to raise rent, reduce services, evict, or otherwise retaliate against a tenant for reporting housing code violations, organizing with other tenants, contacting a government agency, or exercising any other legal right. Under Massachusetts law, retaliation is presumed if adverse action occurs within six months of a protected act. A tenant facing unlawful retaliation may sue for damages equal to at least one month's rent, plus costs and attorney's fees.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): A landlord may not remove a tenant's belongings, change the locks, shut off utilities, or otherwise attempt to force a tenant out without going through the court eviction process. Such self-help eviction is a violation of state law and entitles the tenant to recover three months' rent or three times actual damages — whichever is greater — plus attorney's fees.
Massachusetts has some of the most tenant-protective security deposit rules in the country, and they apply in full to Rehoboth rentals under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.
Cap: A landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding one month's rent. In addition to the deposit, a landlord may collect first month's rent, last month's rent, and the cost of a new lock and key — but nothing else at the outset of a tenancy.
Holding requirements: The deposit must be held in a separate, interest-bearing account at a Massachusetts bank. Within 30 days of receiving the deposit, the landlord must give the tenant a written receipt identifying the bank name, branch address, and account number. The landlord must pay the tenant interest annually, at the rate earned on the account or 5% per year, whichever is lower.
Return deadline: The landlord must return the security deposit — along with any accrued interest and an itemized written statement of deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates. The statement must describe each deduction in detail; deductions for normal wear and tear are not permitted.
Penalties for non-compliance: If the landlord fails to return the deposit on time, wrongfully withholds any portion without a proper itemized statement, or fails to comply with the holding requirements, the tenant is entitled to treble damages (three times the amount wrongfully withheld), plus interest, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(7)).
In Rehoboth, a landlord must follow the formal court eviction process — called a Summary Process action — to remove a tenant. There is no just cause eviction requirement in Rehoboth; landlords may choose not to renew a tenancy at the end of a lease term or with proper notice for month-to-month tenants, as long as proper notice is given.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must deliver a written notice to the tenant. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
- Non-payment of rent: A 14-day Notice to Quit (M.G.L. c. 186, § 11).
- Lease violation (other than non-payment): A 30-day Notice to Quit is typically required.
- End of tenancy (no-fault): At least 30 days' written notice for month-to-month tenants, timed to expire at the end of a rental period (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12).
Step 2 — Court Filing: After the notice period expires, the landlord may file a Summary Process complaint in the Southeast Housing Court (which has jurisdiction over Bristol County). The tenant will receive a Summons and Complaint specifying the hearing date.
Step 3 — Answer and Hearing: The tenant has the right to file a written Answer raising defenses and counterclaims — including retaliation, habitability violations, and improper notice. The judge will hear both sides at the scheduled hearing. Tenants who appear and assert valid defenses often achieve better outcomes, including more time to relocate.
Step 4 — Judgment and Execution: If the landlord wins, the court issues a judgment. The landlord must then obtain an Execution (a court order), which cannot be enforced for at least 10 days. A constable or sheriff serves the execution; only they may carry out a lawful removal.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord may never lock out a tenant, remove belongings, or shut off utilities to force a tenant to leave. Doing so violates M.G.L. c. 186, § 14 and entitles the tenant to treble damages (three months' rent or three times 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 are complex, fact-specific, and subject to change — the summaries here may not reflect the most current statutes, regulations, or court interpretations. Rehoboth renters with specific legal problems should consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes no warranties about the accuracy or completeness of this content and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it.
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