Springfield is the largest city in Western Massachusetts and the seat of Hampden County. Like the rest of Massachusetts outside Boston, Springfield has no local rent control or just cause eviction ordinance. However, state law gives Springfield renters strong protections on security deposits, habitability, and retaliation. Free legal aid is available through Community Legal Aid and Valley Legal Services for eligible tenants.
Springfield has no rent control. The statewide ban passed by voters in 1994 ended all Massachusetts rent control programs, and no Springfield ordinance has been enacted under the 2020 law (Chapter 358) that restored local authority to enact rent stabilization. Landlords in Springfield may raise rent by any amount with proper notice.
Massachusetts state law provides these key protections for Springfield 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, Springfield landlords may collect no more than one month's rent as a security deposit. The deposit must be kept in a separate, interest-bearing bank account, and the landlord must notify you in writing of the bank and account number within 30 days of receiving the deposit. When you move out, the landlord must return the full deposit plus interest within 30 days, or provide a written itemized statement of deductions. Landlords who fail to follow these rules risk owing you the full deposit amount plus up to three times any wrongfully withheld portion, plus attorney's fees.
Evictions in Springfield follow the standard Massachusetts process. The landlord must first serve proper written notice: a 14-day notice to quit for nonpayment of rent, or a 30-day notice for a month-to-month tenancy termination or lease violation. If the tenant does not leave, the landlord must file a Summary Process action in Housing Court. Self-help eviction — lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removal of belongings — is prohibited under M.G.L. c. 186, § 14 and may expose the landlord to liability for up to three months' rent or actual damages.
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 Springfield and is not legal advice. Laws change — verify current rules with a local attorney or tenant organization.
Averigua si tu vivienda está cubierta por el control de renta o las protecciones para inquilinos.
Usa el verificador de direcciones →Te enviaremos un correo si cambian el tope de renta, las reglas de cobertura o las protecciones para inquilinos: sin spam, cancela cuando quieras.