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Woburn is a mid-sized city of roughly 42,000 residents located in Middlesex County, about 10 miles north of Boston. The city has a mix of renters and homeowners, with many residents commuting into the Greater Boston metro area. Renters in Woburn most commonly search for information about security deposit rules, what notice a landlord must give before eviction, and what rights they have when a landlord refuses to make repairs.
Woburn has no local tenant protection ordinances beyond Massachusetts state law. However, Massachusetts state law provides some of the strongest renter protections in the country, including strict security deposit rules, a robust habitability code enforced through local boards of health, and powerful anti-retaliation provisions. Understanding these statewide protections is essential for every Woburn renter.
This article summarizes the laws that apply to Woburn renters as of April 2026. It is intended as general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and your specific situation may require guidance from a qualified attorney or legal aid organization.
Woburn has no rent control, and landlords in the city may raise rents by any amount with proper notice — there is no cap on rent increases under local or state law.
Massachusetts had rent control in several cities, including Cambridge, Boston, and Brookline, until a 1994 statewide ballot measure (Question 9) repealed all existing rent control ordinances across the Commonwealth. That referendum result effectively prohibited rent control statewide for over two decades.
In 2020, the Massachusetts Legislature passed Chapter 358 of the Acts of 2020, which lifted the blanket prohibition and theoretically allows individual municipalities to enact rent stabilization ordinances if they choose to do so. As of April 2026, however, no Massachusetts city or town — including Woburn — has enacted a new rent control or rent stabilization ordinance under this authority.
In practical terms, this means Woburn landlords can increase rent to market rate between tenancies or upon proper notice at the end of a lease term. Renters on month-to-month agreements must receive at least 30 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect, consistent with the notice requirements under M.G.L. c. 186, § 12. Renters on fixed-term leases are protected from increases until the lease expires.
Although Woburn has no local tenant ordinances, Massachusetts state law provides a comprehensive set of renter protections that apply in full to Woburn tenants.
Security Deposits (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B): Massachusetts imposes some of the strictest security deposit rules in the nation. A landlord may not collect a 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, account number, and interest rate within 30 days. Interest accrues annually and must be paid to the tenant each year or credited against rent. Failure to comply with these requirements can entitle the tenant to the immediate return of the deposit plus damages.
Habitability & Repairs (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L; 105 CMR 410): Every landlord in Massachusetts is legally required to maintain rental units in compliance with the Massachusetts Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410), which sets minimum standards for heat, hot water, structural safety, pest control, and more. If a landlord fails to correct a code violation after receiving proper notice, tenants may report the condition to the Woburn Board of Health, withhold rent, arrange repairs and deduct the cost from rent, or terminate the lease — depending on the severity of the violation. Under M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L, landlords must provide heat to at least 68°F between September 15 and June 15.
Notice to Terminate (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12): To end a month-to-month tenancy in Woburn, the landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice, and the notice must expire at the end of a rental period. A tenant on a fixed-term lease has the right to remain through the end of the lease term unless they breach the lease.
Anti-Retaliation (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18): Massachusetts law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who exercise legal rights — including reporting housing code violations, contacting the board of health, organizing with other tenants, or withholding rent due to habitability issues. Any rent increase, eviction, or reduction in services within six months of a protected act by the tenant is presumed retaliatory under the statute. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim is entitled to up to three months' rent, actual damages, and attorney's fees.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): Self-help eviction is illegal in Massachusetts. A landlord may not remove a tenant's belongings, change the locks, or shut off utilities to force a tenant out. Doing so exposes the landlord to liability for actual damages or up to three months' rent — whichever is greater — plus attorney's fees. Eviction must proceed through the formal court process.
Anti-Discrimination (M.G.L. c. 151B): Massachusetts law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, military status, receipt of public assistance (including Section 8 vouchers), and several other categories. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) enforces these protections.
Massachusetts has among the most detailed and tenant-favorable security deposit statutes in the United States, and Woburn landlords must comply fully with M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.
Cap on Deposit Amount: A landlord may not collect a security deposit greater than one month's rent. Collecting more than this amount is a violation of the statute.
Separate Interest-Bearing Account: 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 provide the tenant with written notice of the institution's name and address, the account number, and the amount deposited. Interest accrues at the rate paid by the bank and must be paid to the tenant annually or credited toward rent.
Return Deadline — 30 Days: After the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the security deposit (plus accrued interest) within 30 days, along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Deductions are permitted only for unpaid rent, damage beyond normal wear and tear, or unpaid increases due under the lease.
Penalties for Non-Compliance: If a landlord fails to return the deposit within 30 days, fails to provide an itemized statement, or makes improper deductions, the tenant may be entitled to treble damages (three times the amount wrongfully withheld), plus interest, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(7). Courts have interpreted this to mean that even technical violations — such as failing to provide proper written notice of the bank account — can expose landlords to significant liability.
Last Month's Rent: Many Massachusetts landlords also collect last month's rent in advance. While this is not technically a security deposit, it is also regulated under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B — landlords must pay interest on this amount at the same rate as the security deposit and provide written notice of the amount held.
Evictions in Woburn follow the Massachusetts summary process outlined in M.G.L. c. 239. Landlords must follow each step precisely; skipping any step is grounds for the tenant to contest the eviction.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must serve the tenant with written notice. The required notice type depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period expires, the landlord must file a Summary Process complaint in the Woburn District Court (or Eastern Middlesex Housing Court). The landlord pays a filing fee and the court schedules a hearing. The tenant receives a Summons and Complaint.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. Tenants have the right to raise defenses — including habitability issues, retaliation (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18), or procedural defects in the notice. Tenants may also request a jury trial in eviction cases in Massachusetts.
Step 4 — Judgment and Execution: If the court enters judgment for the landlord, the tenant typically has 10 days to appeal or vacate. If the tenant does not leave, the landlord may obtain an Execution (a court order) authorizing a sheriff or constable to remove the tenant. A landlord cannot personally remove the tenant's belongings or change the locks based on a court judgment alone — only a sheriff or constable may enforce the Execution.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal (M.G.L. c. 186, § 14): It is illegal in Massachusetts for a landlord to lock out a tenant, remove their belongings, shut off utilities, or otherwise attempt to force a tenant out without a court order. A tenant subjected to self-help eviction may recover actual damages or up to three months' rent (whichever is greater) plus attorney's fees.
Just Cause Eviction: Woburn has no just cause eviction ordinance. (Note: Boston enacted a Just Cause Eviction ordinance in 2024, but it applies only within the City of Boston and has no effect in Woburn.)
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this page reflects laws and regulations as of April 2026, but tenant rights laws can change — new ordinances may be passed, statutes amended, or court decisions may alter how the law is applied. Woburn renters with specific legal questions or who are facing eviction should consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney or contact a legal aid organization such as Greater Boston Legal Services. RentCheckMe does not provide legal representation and is not a substitute for professional legal counsel.
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