{"data":{"id":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-186a-6","jurisdiction":"us-ma","citation":"Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186A, § 6","heading":"Penalties for illegal eviction; jurisdiction; defenses","body":"Section 6. A foreclosing owner that evicts a tenant in violation of this chapter or any ordinance or by-law adopted pursuant to this chapter, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $5,000. Each such illegal eviction shall constitute a separate offense.\nThe district and superior courts and the housing court shall have jurisdiction over an action arising from a violation of this chapter or of any ordinance or by-law adopted pursuant to this chapter, and shall have jurisdiction in equity to restrain any such violation. It shall be a defense to an eviction proceeding that the foreclosing owner attempted to evict a tenant in violation of this chapter or any ordinance or by-law adopted pursuant to this chapter.","path":["Part II","Title I","Chapter 186A"],"source_url":"https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleI/Chapter186A/Section6","current_through":"amendments passed before May 31, 2026","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-17T05:24:27Z","sha256":"15de30ac2beadcbe223aac8bbb137ea3a25be1330e31b3994114df2c5789a191","source_id":"us-ma","stale":false,"prev":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-186a-5","next":"us-ma/mass.-gen.-laws-ch.-187-1"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}