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Sharon is a suburban town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, located approximately 20 miles south of Boston. While Sharon is predominantly owner-occupied, a meaningful share of residents rent apartments, condominiums, and single-family homes. Renters in Sharon are protected by Massachusetts state law, which is among the most tenant-friendly in the country — particularly regarding security deposits, habitability standards, and anti-retaliation rules.
Tenants in Sharon most commonly search for information about security deposit rules, the eviction process, landlord repair obligations, and what to do when a lease ends. Because Sharon has no local rent stabilization ordinance or supplemental tenant protections, state law is the primary — and substantial — source of renter rights in this town.
This guide is intended to be informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and individual circumstances vary. Renters who believe their rights have been violated should consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or a qualified legal aid organization.
Sharon has no rent control, and no such local ordinance is currently being considered. Massachusetts voters passed a statewide ballot initiative (Question 9) in November 1994 that immediately repealed rent control in every Massachusetts city and town, including Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline — the only three municipalities that had ever enacted it. Following that repeal, no Massachusetts city could legally enact rent control.
In 2020, the Massachusetts legislature passed Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which removed the state-level prohibition and theoretically allows cities and towns to adopt rent stabilization ordinances again. However, as of April 2026, no Massachusetts municipality — including Sharon — has enacted a new rent control or rent stabilization law. Sharon's Town Meeting would need to pass a local ordinance, subject to any additional state enabling requirements, before rent control could exist here.
In practical terms, this means Sharon landlords may raise rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or with proper notice on a month-to-month tenancy. There is no cap on rent increases in Sharon. Renters should document any rent increase notices and understand their right to accept or vacate under the notice requirements described below.
Although Sharon has no local ordinances beyond state law, Massachusetts provides renters with a robust set of statewide protections that apply in every city and town, including Sharon.
Security Deposit (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B): Massachusetts law imposes some of the strictest security deposit rules in the United States. Landlords may collect no more than the equivalent of one month's rent as a security deposit. The deposit must be held in a separate, interest-bearing bank account, and the landlord must provide the tenant with written notice of the bank name, account number, and interest rate within 30 days of receiving the deposit. Failure to comply with these rules can expose a landlord to treble damages, attorney's fees, and costs.
Habitability and the Sanitary Code (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127A–127L; 105 CMR 410): Every residential rental unit in Massachusetts must comply with the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410), which sets minimum standards for heat, hot water, electricity, structural integrity, pest control, and more. Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition at all times. Tenants who experience conditions that violate the code may report them to the Sharon Board of Health. If conditions are serious, tenants may have the right to withhold rent, use the repair-and-deduct remedy, or terminate the lease under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L.
Heat and Hot Water: Under 105 CMR 410.201, landlords must provide heat sufficient to maintain indoor temperatures of at least 68°F between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., and at least 64°F at all other hours, from September 16 through June 14. Hot water must be available at all times at a minimum of 110°F.
Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Tenancy (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. Critically, the notice period must expire at the end of a rental period — meaning if rent is due on the first of the month, a notice served on March 10 would not be effective until April 30 at the earliest, giving the tenant effectively more than 30 days.
Anti-Retaliation (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): Landlords in Massachusetts are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who report code violations, contact a government agency, organize with other tenants, or exercise any other legal right. If a landlord raises rent, reduces services, or commences eviction proceedings within six months of a tenant's protected activity, the law presumes the action is retaliatory. Tenants who prevail on a retaliation claim are entitled to up to three months' rent, actual damages, and attorney's fees.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): It is illegal for a landlord to remove a tenant from the premises by any means other than a court-ordered eviction. This includes changing locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities such as heat, electricity, or water to force a tenant to leave. A tenant subjected to an illegal lockout or utility shutoff may sue for injunctive relief, actual damages, or three months' rent — whichever is greater — plus attorney's fees.
Discrimination (M.G.L. c. 151B): Massachusetts law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, familial status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, and source of income (including Section 8 vouchers). 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 country, and they apply in full to Sharon rentals under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.
Maximum Amount: A landlord may collect no more than the equivalent of one month's rent as a security deposit. Collecting more than this amount is a violation of the statute.
Separate Account Requirement: The deposit must be deposited in a Massachusetts bank in a separate, interest-bearing account. The landlord must give the tenant written notice within 30 days of receiving the deposit identifying the bank name, branch address, and account number where the funds are held, along with the annual interest rate.
Annual Interest: The tenant is entitled to receive interest on the deposit each year. Interest must be paid or credited to the tenant at the anniversary of the tenancy, or at the time the deposit is returned.
Statement of Condition: Within 10 days of the tenant moving in (or upon receiving the deposit, whichever is later), the landlord must provide a written statement of the condition of the rental unit. The tenant has 15 days to correct or add to the statement. This document establishes the baseline condition for determining deductions at move-out.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the security deposit — along with accrued interest and an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenancy ends.
Permissible Deductions: Landlords may only deduct for unpaid rent, unpaid water/sewer charges the tenant was obligated to pay, damage beyond normal wear and tear, and reasonable costs for removing the tenant's belongings after vacating.
Penalties for Violations: If a landlord fails to return the deposit within 30 days, fails to provide the required bank information, commingles the deposit with other funds, or makes impermissible deductions, the tenant may sue for the return of the deposit plus treble damages, attorney's fees, and court costs under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B. These penalties are among the harshest in the nation and are strictly enforced by Massachusetts courts.
Eviction in Sharon, Massachusetts must follow the process established by state law. Landlords cannot remove a tenant without a court order — any attempt to do so constitutes an illegal eviction under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must provide the tenant with a proper 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) action in the Southeast Housing Court, which has jurisdiction over Norfolk County cases including Sharon. The landlord files a Summary Process Summons and Complaint, and the court sets a hearing date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a Housing Court judge. The tenant has the right to raise defenses, including payment of rent, habitability conditions, retaliation, or improper notice. Tenants should bring all documentation — receipts, photos, repair requests, and correspondence — to the hearing.
Step 4 — Judgment and Execution: If the court rules for the landlord, a judgment enters. The tenant typically has 10 days after judgment to appeal. If no appeal is filed, the landlord may obtain an Execution — a court order authorizing a constable to remove the tenant — no sooner than 48 hours after it is issued.
Just Cause Eviction: Sharon has no just-cause eviction ordinance. Unlike Boston, which enacted a Just Cause Eviction ordinance in 2024 requiring landlords to state a valid reason for ending a tenancy, Sharon landlords may terminate a tenancy at the end of a lease term or rental period without providing a reason, as long as proper notice is given.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14, a landlord who changes locks, removes a tenant's belongings, shuts off utilities, or otherwise attempts to remove a tenant without a court order may be liable for actual damages or three months' rent (whichever is greater), plus attorney's fees. Tenants facing illegal lockouts should contact local police and seek emergency legal assistance immediately.
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex, and individual circumstances can significantly affect how the law applies to your situation. Massachusetts law changes over time, and local ordinances may be enacted or amended after the publication date of this article. Renters in Sharon who have questions about their specific situation — including eviction proceedings, security deposit disputes, or habitability concerns — should consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization such as Greater Boston Legal Services. RentCheckMe makes no representations about the completeness or accuracy of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it.
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