Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Massachusetts

Re: Rent Increase

There is no law prohibiting a landlord from raising the rent. In order to properly raise the rent, the landlord must send you a 30 day Notice to Quit on the first which terminates your current tenancy on the 30th (or 31st) and within the notice the landlord can offer to establish a tenancy at the higher rent amount. If you fail to agree to the higher amount, the landlord can file a Summary Process action to recover possession of the apartment since your old tenancy has been terminated. You can always negotiate with the landlord regarding the proposed increase. The tenancy is a contract and requires both people to agree on a rent amount.