The Right to Organize
Notas finales
Tenants in Massachusetts have a right to organize. It is illegal for a landlord to retaliate against you by trying to evict you, sending you a rent increase notice, or sending you a notice of any substantial changes in the terms of your lease or tenancy because you have attended a tenant meeting, joined a tenant group, or because you are organizing a tenant group. It does not matter whether you call this a group, a union, an association or a tenant organization.4 For examples of types of tenant groups see What is a tenant association? in this chapter.
Despite the fact that it is illegal for a landlord to retaliate against you for organizing, it happens. For this reason, as you take on the work of bringing tenants together, the best way to protect yourself and fellow tenants is by knowing your rights, putting all significant communication to the landlord in writing, and keeping a record (for example saving letters, emails, text messages, WhatsApp exchanges).For more information about retaliation, see Chapter 12: Evictions.
Both G. L. c. 186, § 18, a affirmative claim or counterclaim, and G. L. 239, § 2A, a defense in an eviction, protect tenants from “reprisal” or retaliation for “organizing or joining a tenants' union or similar organization.”