Brockton is Plymouth County's largest city and a major rental market in Southeastern Massachusetts. The city has no local rent control or just cause eviction ordinance, and tenants rely on Massachusetts state law for their core protections. South Coastal Counties Legal Services provides free legal assistance to income-qualifying renters in the Brockton area.
Brockton has no rent control. The statewide ban enacted by voters in 1994 ended all Massachusetts rent control programs, and Brockton has not enacted a new ordinance under the 2020 law (Chapter 358). Landlords may raise rent by any amount with proper written notice.
Massachusetts state law provides these key protections for Brockton renters:
Broker fees (effective August 1, 2025): A residential rental broker's fee must be paid by the party who hired the broker — typically the landlord. A landlord or property manager may not require a tenant to pay the landlord's broker fee or disguise it as rent. A tenant improperly charged a broker fee can recover up to three times the amount plus attorney's fees (new M.G.L. c. 112, § 87DDD½, enforced through M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B and c. 93A). See the Mass.gov broker's-fee FAQ.
Under M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B, Brockton landlords may not collect more than one month's rent as a security deposit. It must be held in a separate, interest-bearing bank account, and the landlord must notify you in writing of the institution and account number within 30 days of receiving the deposit. At move-out, the full deposit plus interest is due within 30 days, along with an itemized statement of deductions. Violations can result in liability for the full deposit plus up to three times any amount wrongfully withheld, plus attorney's fees.
Brockton landlords must follow Massachusetts Summary Process procedures to evict. This requires a proper written notice — 14 days for nonpayment, 30 days for termination or lease violations (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12) — before filing in Plymouth County Housing Court. Self-help tactics such as lockouts, utility shutoffs, or property removal are illegal under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14.
Eviction record sealing (effective May 5, 2025): Under the Affordable Homes Act (Chapter 150 of the Acts of 2024, amending M.G.L. c. 239), tenants may petition the court to seal certain eviction records. Cases dismissed or decided in the tenant's favor are sealed on petition without a hearing; no-fault cases and satisfied non-payment judgments may be sealed under specified conditions; and fault cases may be sealed after seven years. Consumer reporting agencies may not report sealed eviction records. See Mass.gov eviction sealing.
This article provides general information about tenant rights in Brockton and is not legal advice. Laws change — verify current rules with a local attorney or tenant organization.
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