Just cause eviction rules in Holbrook, MA — sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances — list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
Norfolk County has no county-level eviction rules. Massachusetts is a strong tenant-protection state under MGL c. 239 and c. 186. Brookline adopted a local Just Cause Eviction bylaw in 2023 covering buildings with 4+ units.
Massachusetts statewide eviction procedures are set by MGL c. 239 (summary process) and MGL c. 186 (tenancy). Landlords must serve a Notice to Quit — 14 days for non-payment of rent (MGL c. 186 §11/§12), 30 days or one rental period for tenancies at will. Evictions must be filed in Housing Court (Eastern Division covers Norfolk County in Dedham and Brookline courts). Self-help eviction is criminal under MGL c. 184 §18 — up to $10,000 damages. Brookline Town Meeting approved Article 10 (May 2023) establishing just cause eviction protections for rental buildings with 4+ units and rent escrow for relocation assistance; the bylaw is subject to state home rule petition approval. Quincy and Weymouth follow state eviction law without local just-cause overlays. Retaliation presumed if eviction follows code complaint within 6 months (MGL c. 239 §2A).
Self-help eviction (lockout, utility shutoff): criminal charge, 3x damages minimum $3,000, attorney fees (MGL c. 184 §18, c. 186 §14). Improper Notice to Quit: dismissal. Retaliatory eviction: tenant defense with damages.
Norfolk County, MA
Norfolk County does not regulate amplified music. Each municipality requires entertainment licenses or one-day amplified sound permits under MGL c. 140 §183A...
Norfolk County, MA
Norfolk County does not handle abandoned vehicles. MGL c. 90B §2 allows police to remove abandoned vehicles after 72 hours. Quincy, Brookline, and Weymouth t...
Norfolk County, MA
Norfolk County does not regulate chickens or livestock. Each town sets its own rules via zoning and board of health regulations. Suburban towns often restric...
Holbrook, MA
Holbrook follows the Massachusetts statewide framework: residential open burning is permitted only between January 15 and May 1 with a daily permit from the ...
Norfolk County, MA
Brookline enacted the first MA town-wide ban on new artificial turf on town property (2023 Town Meeting Art. 14). Other Norfolk County towns allow turf resid...
Norfolk County, MA
Norfolk County does not restrict rainwater harvesting. MA has no statewide restrictions on residential rain barrel or cistern use. Many Norfolk County towns ...
See how Holbrook's just cause eviction rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.