No, your Massachusetts landlord cannot legally raise your rent without notice. Massachusetts law requires landlords to provide proper written notice before increasing rent, and the required notice period depends on the type of tenancy you have:
Tenancy-at-Will (Month-to-Month): Landlords must give at least 30 days’ written notice before a rent increase takes effect. If rent is paid less frequently (e.g., every two or three months), the notice period must match the payment interval.
Fixed-Term Lease: During the term of a fixed lease, rent cannot be increased unless the lease specifically allows for mid-term increases (such as a tax escalator clause). Otherwise, rent can only be raised at the end of the lease term, and tenants must receive proper notice before the new rent applies.
Key Points:
Notice Must Be Clear: The notice must specify the new rent amount and the date the increase will begin.
No Statewide Rent Control: Massachusetts does not have statewide rent control, so there is no legal limit on how much or how often rent can be increased, except in Cambridge, which has local protections.
Discrimination and Retaliation Prohibited: Rent increases must not be discriminatory or retaliatory.
Your landlord must give you proper notice before raising your rent in Massachusetts. Without this notice, any rent increase is not enforceable. If you have a fixed-term lease, your rent cannot be increased during the term unless your lease specifically allows it.
Sources:
- https://www.steadily.com/blog/rent-increase-laws-regulations-massachusetts
- https://www.steadily.com/blog/how-much-can-a-landlord-raise-rent-in-massachusetts
- https://www.reneelazarlaw.com/blog/2025/05/massachusetts-rent-increase-laws-2025-what-tenants-should-know/
- https://www.alfordlegalgroup.com/blog/2024/09/instances-when-landlords-can-legally-increase-rent/