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Rent Control Laws in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has no statewide rent cap, and the Rent Control Prohibition Act (G.L. c. 40P) bars cities and towns from rent control except a narrow voluntary, taxpayer-funded program.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Massachusetts at a glance

Statewide rent cap
No
No state statute capping private residential rent was found.
Local rent control banned
Yes, with a narrow exception
Any allowed program must be voluntary for owners, exclude owners of fewer than 10 units, and be paid for from the town's general funds.
Local rent control
None, state law bars local rent control

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Massachusetts

Does Massachusetts have a statewide rent cap?

No. Statewide rent cap in Massachusetts: no. No state statute capping private residential rent was found.

Does Massachusetts law ban cities from adopting rent control?

Yes, with a narrow exception. Local rent control banned in Massachusetts: yes, with a narrow exception. Any allowed program must be voluntary for owners, exclude owners of fewer than 10 units, and be paid for from the town's general funds.

Which cities in Massachusetts have rent control?

Local rent control in Massachusetts: None, state law bars local rent control.

Where do the Massachusetts rent control laws come from?

The rules above come from Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40P, sec. 3 and Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40P, sec. 4. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Even where there is no rent control, a landlord usually cannot raise the rent during a fixed-term lease unless the lease allows it. Increases normally take effect at renewal or after written notice for a month-to-month tenancy, and notice periods are set by state law.

Rent caps and rent stabilization rules commonly have exemptions, such as buildings built in recent years, owner-occupied duplexes, or units owned by individuals rather than companies. A unit can sit in a covered city and still be exempt, so read the coverage section of the law closely.

Local rent control ordinances change through ballot measures and council votes more often than state law does. If you rent or own property in a city that regulates rent, check the city or county housing department for the current allowable increase and any registration requirements.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.