Massachusetts Tenant Rights Guide

Last updated: April 2026

Massachusetts currently has no rent control anywhere in the state. Cambridge, Boston, and Brookline had rent control until voters repealed it in 1994. The 2020 law allows cities to enact it again, but none have. Massachusetts does have strong tenant protections on security deposits, habitability, and discrimination.

Check your address to see what tenant protections apply to your rental.

Massachusetts at a Glance

Rent control: None
Statewide rent cap: None — landlords can raise rent by any amount
Preemption: Massachusetts voters banned rent control statewide in 1994 (Question 9). State law prohibiting rent control was lifted in 2020 (Ch. 358), but no city has yet enacted a new ordinance.

What Protections Massachusetts Tenants Do Have

Even without rent control, Massachusetts law gives renters meaningful rights in these areas:

Security Deposit

Massachusetts has some of the strictest deposit rules in the country. The deposit cannot exceed 1 month's rent and must be held in a separate interest-bearing bank account. Landlords must return it within 30 days with an itemized statement. Violations can result in treble damages (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B).

Notice to Terminate

Month-to-month tenants must receive at least 30 days' written notice before the landlord can terminate the tenancy. The notice must expire at the end of a rental period (M.G.L. c. 186, § 12).

Repairs & Habitability

Massachusetts has a strong sanitary code (105 CMR 410). Tenants can report violations to the local board of health. If conditions are severe, tenants may withhold rent, repair-and-deduct, or terminate the lease (M.G.L. c. 111, § 127L).

Retaliation Protection

Strong retaliation protections — landlords cannot raise rent, reduce services, or evict in response to a tenant exercising legal rights. Retaliation within 6 months of a protected act is presumed retaliatory (M.G.L. c. 186, § 18).

Just Cause Eviction (Boston)

Boston enacted a Just Cause Eviction ordinance in 2024 that requires landlords to have a valid reason to end a tenancy. This makes Boston's protections significantly stronger than the rest of the state.

Major Cities in Massachusetts

Boston — No rent control; Boston enacted a Just Cause Eviction ordinance in 2024 — landlords need a valid reason to end your tenancy.
Cambridge — No rent control currently (repealed in 1994); the state law allowing cities to re-enact it passed in 2020 but Cambridge has not acted yet.
Worcester — No rent control; Massachusetts state law applies.
Springfield — No rent control; Massachusetts state law applies.
Somerville — No rent control; Massachusetts state law applies.

Massachusetts Tenant Resources

These organizations offer free or low-cost help to Massachusetts renters:

Greater Boston Legal Services — Free civil legal services for low-income residents of Metro Boston, including housing and eviction defense.
Boston Tenant Coalition — Tenant advocacy organization fighting for renter protections in Boston.
Mass Legal Help – Housing — Plain-language guides to Massachusetts tenant rights, eviction, and security deposit law.
Community Legal Aid — Free legal help for low-income tenants in Central and Western Massachusetts.

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