Section 29. (a) An owner complying with sections 23 to 28, inclusive, or with the requirements of an order under chapter 209A or any other law, shall be relieved of any liability to the vacated tenant, co-tenant or member of the tenant's household, or to any other third party on account of the owner's good faith compliance with a court order or changing the locks as provided in section 26 including, but not limited to, withholding a key from the alleged perpetrator, as provided in subsection (c) of section 26. Damages shall not be imposed if the court determines that the matter was of a good faith dispute between the owner and tenants.
(b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, any owner who demonstrates that such owner's conduct constituted a good faith effort to comply with sections 23 to 29, inclusive, shall not be liable for multiple damages or for attorney's fees.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations
Title I - Title to Real Property
Chapter 186 - Estates for Years and at Will
Section 1a - Land Demised for Term of 100 Years or More Regarded as Estate in Fee Simple
Section 3 - Tenancy at Sufferance; Liability for Rent
Section 4 - Liability of Tenant for Rent for Proportion of Land in Possession
Section 5 - Action to Recover Rent; Evidence
Section 6 - Survival of Action
Section 7 - Remedies of Landlords
Section 8 - Recovery of Rent Accruing Before Determination of Lease
Section 9 - Recovery of Rent Paid in Advance
Section 10 - Rent as a Necessary
Section 11 - Determination of Lease for Nonpayment of Rent
Section 11a - Termination of Lease for Nonpayment of Rent
Section 12 - Notice to Determine Estate at Will
Section 13 - Recovery of Possession After Termination of Tenancy at Will
Section 15 - Non-Liability of Landlord; Provisions in Lease or Rental Agreement
Section 15a - Waiver of Notices; Lease or Rental Agreement Provisions; Validity
Section 15c - Residential Real Estate, Lease Payments Based on Real Estate Tax Increases
Section 15d - Oral Agreement to Execute Lease; Delivery of Lease Copy; Penalty; Waiver
Section 15e - Action Against Owner; Injuries Due to Defects Violating Building Code; Defense; Waiver
Section 16 - Leases or Rental Agreements Restricting Occupancy of Children
Section 17 - Occupancy Constituting Tenancy at Will; Termination
Section 20 - Attorneys' Fees and Expenses; Residential Lease Provisions; Implied Covenant; Waiver
Section 21 - Disclosure of Insurance Information by Lessor; Violations; Waiver
Section 23 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 23 to 29
Section 28 - Waivers of Secs. 23 to 27 Void and Unenforceable
Section 29 - Owner Immunity From Liability
Section 30 - Inspection of Vacated Property for Presence of Abandoned Animals