Lynn is a coastal city in Essex County just north of Boston with a large and diverse renter population. The city has no local rent control or just cause eviction protections. Massachusetts state law provides the core tenant rights framework, and Northeast Legal Aid offers free legal help for income-qualifying Lynn renters.
Lynn has no rent control. Massachusetts voters ended all rent control programs statewide in 1994, and Lynn has not passed a new ordinance under the 2020 law (Chapter 358) allowing municipalities to act. Landlords may raise rent freely with proper notice.
Massachusetts state law provides these key protections for Lynn 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, Lynn 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 you must receive written notice of the institution and account number within 30 days. At move-out, the deposit plus interest is due within 30 days with an itemized statement of deductions. Non-compliance can result in liability for the full deposit plus up to three times any wrongfully withheld amount, plus attorney's fees.
Lynn landlords must serve proper written notice before filing for eviction: 14 days for nonpayment, or 30 days for a month-to-month termination or lease violation (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12). If the tenant does not leave, the landlord must file Summary Process in Essex County Housing Court. Self-help eviction is prohibited 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 Lynn and is not legal advice. Laws change — verify current rules with a local attorney or tenant organization.
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