# Massachusetts — Landlord retaliation presumption period by US state

For Massachusetts, presumption period is six months; what the presumption does is shall create a rebuttable presumption that such notice or other action is a reprisal against the tenant for engaging in such activities; example of a protected activity is for organizing or joining a tenants' union or similar organization; statute is G.L. c. 186, § 18, recorded from its source on 2026-09-02.

- **State:** Massachusetts _(our reading, not quoted from the source)_
- **Presumption period:** six months _(verified: appears in the quote below)_
- **What the presumption does:** shall create a rebuttable presumption that such notice or other action is a reprisal against the tenant for engaging in such activities _(verified: appears in the quote below)_
- **Example of a protected activity:** for organizing or joining a tenants' union or similar organization _(verified: appears in its own passage below)_
- **Statute:** G.L. c. 186, § 18 _(our reading, not quoted from the source)_

## What the source says

> The receipt of any notice of termination of tenancy, except for nonpayment of rent, or, of increase in rent, or, of any substantial alteration in the terms of tenancy within six months after the tenant has commenced, proceeded with, or obtained relief in such action, exercised such rights, made such report or complaint, or organized or joined such tenants' union or within six months after any other person has taken such action or actions on behalf of the tenant or in, or relating to, the building in which the tenant resides, shall create a rebuttable presumption that such notice or other action is a reprisal against the tenant for engaging in such activities.

## Where each value comes from

This source states these in separate places, so each value is shown with the passage that states it.

### Example of a protected activity

> or for organizing or joining a tenants' union or similar organization, or for making or expressing an intention to make, a payment of rent to an organization of unit owners pursuant to paragraph (c) of section six of chapter one hundred and eighty-three A

## Source

- https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleI/Chapter186/Section18

Last verified: 2026-09-02. Review by: 2027-09-02.
Part of [Landlord retaliation presumption period by US state](https://referencesource.org/landlord-retaliation-presumption-period-by-state/).