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Scituate is a coastal town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, with a mix of year-round residents and seasonal renters drawn to its beaches and harbor. As housing costs along the South Shore have risen, renters in Scituate increasingly need to understand their rights under Massachusetts law — particularly around security deposits, lease terminations, and landlord obligations to maintain safe, habitable conditions.
Unlike larger Massachusetts cities such as Boston or Cambridge, Scituate has no local tenant protection ordinances beyond what state law provides. That said, Massachusetts is among the strongest states in the country for renters, with strict deposit caps, a robust sanitary code, and meaningful anti-retaliation protections. Renters most commonly search for information about security deposit rules, eviction notice requirements, and what to do when a landlord refuses to make repairs.
This page summarizes the laws that apply to Scituate renters as of April 2026. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — consult a qualified attorney or legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Scituate has no rent control. Massachusetts voters passed a statewide ballot measure (Question 9) in November 1994 that prohibited rent control across the entire state, including every city and town. This effectively ended rent stabilization programs that had existed in Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline.
In 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature enacted Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which removed the statewide prohibition and restored the ability of individual cities and towns to enact their own rent control ordinances if they choose to do so. However, as of April 2026, no Massachusetts municipality — including Scituate — has enacted a new rent control or rent stabilization ordinance under this authority.
In practical terms, this means Scituate landlords may raise rent by any amount and at any time, subject only to providing proper notice before a new rental period begins. There is no cap on rent increases, no requirement to justify a rent hike, and no rent registry in Scituate. Renters on fixed-term leases are protected from increases until the lease expires; month-to-month tenants must receive at least 30 days' written notice of a rent change under M.G.L. c. 186, § 12.
Although Scituate has no local ordinances, Massachusetts state law provides renters with strong baseline protections that apply in every city and town, including Scituate.
Security Deposit (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B): Landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than one month's rent. The deposit must be placed in a separate, interest-bearing bank account in Massachusetts, and the tenant must be notified in writing of the bank name, address, and account number within 30 days of receiving the deposit. Landlords must provide an itemized statement of any deductions and return the balance within 30 days of the tenancy ending. Violations can expose the landlord to treble (triple) damages plus attorney's fees.
Habitability & Repairs (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L; 105 CMR 410): Massachusetts law requires landlords to maintain rental units in compliance with the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410), which sets minimum standards for heat (at least 68°F from September 16 through June 14), hot water, ventilation, structural integrity, and pest control, among other requirements. Tenants may report violations to the Scituate Board of Health. If a landlord fails to correct serious code violations, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, repair-and-deduct (up to four months' rent per year under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L), or terminate the tenancy.
Notice to Terminate (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): To end a month-to-month tenancy, either the landlord or tenant must provide at least 30 days' written notice. The notice period must align with the end of a rental period — for example, if rent is due on the first of the month, a notice given on January 15 would be effective March 1, not February 14.
Anti-Retaliation (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who report code violations, organize with other tenants, or otherwise exercise their legal rights. Any rent increase, service reduction, or eviction notice issued within six months of a protected tenant action is legally presumed to be retaliatory. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim is entitled to at least one to three months' rent in damages plus attorney's fees.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): It is illegal in Massachusetts for a landlord to lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities such as heat, electricity, or water in order to force a tenant to leave. This is known as a self-help eviction and is prohibited regardless of whether the tenant owes rent. A tenant subjected to such conduct may recover up to three months' rent or actual damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees.
Anti-Discrimination (M.G.L. c. 151B): Massachusetts law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, familial status, marital status, military status, receipt of public assistance, and other characteristics. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) enforces these protections.
Massachusetts has some of the most protective security deposit laws in the country, and they apply in full to Scituate 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 key or lock — but nothing else at move-in.
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 provide the tenant with a written receipt containing the bank's name and address, the account number, and the amount deposited. The tenant earns interest on the deposit at the rate paid by the bank, or 5% per year, whichever is less, and is entitled to receive that interest annually or at the end of the tenancy.
Move-In Statement of Condition: Within 10 days of receiving a security deposit (or upon move-in, whichever is later), the landlord must provide the tenant with a written statement listing all existing damage to the unit. Failure to provide this statement means the landlord forfeits the right to make any deductions from the deposit for damages.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the deposit — along with any accrued interest and a written, itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days of the tenancy ending.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If a landlord fails to comply with any of the deposit requirements — including failing to hold it properly, failing to return it on time, or making improper deductions — the tenant is entitled to recover treble (triple) damages plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. Even a technical violation, such as failing to provide the bank account information in writing, can trigger these penalties.
Landlords in Scituate must follow the Massachusetts court-supervised eviction process, governed primarily by M.G.L. c. 239 (the Summary Process statute). There is no shortcut: a landlord cannot remove a tenant without a court order.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must provide proper written notice. The type and length of notice depend on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Summary Process Filing: After the notice period expires, if the tenant has not vacated or remedied the situation, the landlord may file a summary process (eviction) action in the Hingham District Court, which covers Scituate. The tenant will be served with a summons and complaint.
Step 3 — Answer and Hearing: The tenant has the right to file a written answer asserting defenses and counterclaims — such as retaliation, breach of the warranty of habitability, or improper security deposit handling. A hearing before a judge is then scheduled. Massachusetts courts take these defenses seriously, and tenants with valid counterclaims may recover damages that offset or exceed any rent owed.
Step 4 — Judgment and Execution: If the landlord wins, the court issues a judgment for possession. The landlord must then wait at least 10 days and obtain a writ of execution before a constable or sheriff can physically remove the tenant. The tenant has the right to appeal or seek a stay of execution.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): A landlord who changes the locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off heat, electricity, water, or other utilities, or removes the tenant's belongings without a court order is committing an illegal self-help eviction. The tenant may sue for at least three months' rent or actual damages — whichever is greater — plus attorney's fees, and may seek immediate injunctive relief to be restored to the unit.
Just Cause Eviction: Scituate has no just cause eviction ordinance. Landlords may terminate a month-to-month tenancy without stating a reason, provided they give proper notice. However, the stated or implied reason cannot be retaliatory under M.G.L. c. 186, § 18, and cannot be discriminatory under M.G.L. c. 151B.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex and subject to change; the summaries here may not reflect recent amendments, local ordinances, or court interpretations. Scituate renters facing eviction, security deposit disputes, habitability problems, or other housing issues should consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization for advice specific to their circumstances. RentCheckMe makes no representation that the information on this page is complete, current, or applicable to any individual situation.
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