Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant for complaining in Massachusetts?
No. In Massachusetts, a landlord who retaliates against a tenant for reporting a code violation, complaining in writing to the landlord, pursuing a housing claim or joining a tenants’ union is liable for one to three months’ rent or actual damages, and a termination notice (other than for nonpayment), rent increase or other substantial change within six months after the tenant’s act is presumed to be a reprisal. The presumption can be rebutted only by clear and convincing evidence. Separately, the federal Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to threaten or interfere with anyone for exercising fair housing rights. This is M.G.L. c. 186, § 18.
| What | Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Retaliation by a landlord | Prohibited by statute |
| Time period in the statute | Presumed within 6 months |
| How the period works | Retaliation is presumed if the landlord acts within it |
Source
M.G.L. c. 186, § 18
Read the statute in the General Laws of Massachusetts (Massachusetts Legislature): malegislature.gov.
Checked against the statute on October 23, 2026.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
When an owner prepares an eviction in Seayora, it lists any repair request opened on the unit in the last 180 days that is still open, not to stop the case but because the tenant will raise retaliation and the owner should have an answer. Every repair request keeps the date it was filed.
Guides on this rule
- Landlord Retaliation Laws: Protected Tenant Acts and Time Limits — When an eviction, rent increase or cut in services is presumed retaliatory: 180 days in California, six months in Texas, a year in New York.
Compare this rule in every state
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The same question in other states
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