30 days rent-increase notice.
There is no rent control in Massachusetts (banned statewide since 1994) and no cap on increases. For a tenant at will, the landlord must give at least 30 days' (or one full rental period's) written notice.
What this means for you: At lease renewal, rent can rise by any amount. During a fixed-term lease, the rent is locked until the term ends.
Your next step: Confirm you got proper written notice for an at-will increase. Negotiate before the notice period runs.
Source: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 12. Reviewed 2026-06-16.
More Massachusetts rights: Massachusetts security deposit · Massachusetts eviction · Massachusetts repairs · Massachusetts entry notice.
Rent increase in nearby states: New Hampshire (30 days rent-increase notice) · Rhode Island (30 days rent-increase notice) · Connecticut (30 days rent-increase notice) · New York (30 days rent-increase notice) · Vermont (60 days rent-increase notice).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by locality; consult a licensed attorney or your local housing authority.
Updated July 2026