Rockland, Mass., Code of Bylaws ch 288 § 288-11
Civil remedies (Rockland Mobile Home Parks)
Operative Text
A. Any person who demands, accepts, receives or retains any payment of rent in excess of the maximum lawful rent, in violation of the provisions of this bylaw or any regulation or order hereunder promulgated, shall be liable as hereinafter provided to the person from whom such payment is demanded, accepted, received or retained, or to the Town of Rockland for reasonable attorney's fees and costs as determined by the court, plus liquidated damages in the amount of $100, or not more than three times the amount by which the payment or payments demanded, accepted, received or retained, exceed the maximum rent which could be lawfully demanded, accepted, received or retained, whichever is the greater; provided that if the defendant proves that the violation was neither willful nor the result of failure to take practicable precautions against the occurrence of the violation, the amount of such liquidated damages shall be the amount of the overcharge or overcharges. B. If the person from whom such payment is demanded, accepted, received or retained in violation of the provisions of this bylaw or any rule or regulation hereunder promulgated fails, after being on notice thereof, to bring an action under this section within 60 days from the date of the occurrence of the violation, the board may either settle the claim arising out of the violation or bring such action. Settlement by the board shall thereafter bar any other person from bringing action for the violation or violations with regard to which a settlement has been reached. If the board settles said claim, it shall be entitled to retain the costs it incurred in the settlement thereof, and the person against whom the violation was committed shall be entitled to the remainder. If the board brings action under the provisions of this section, it shall be entitled to receive attorney's fees and costs under the provisions of paragraph (a) and the person against whom the violation was committed shall be awarded liquidated damages under said Subsection A . C. A judgment for damages or on the merits in any action under this section shall be a bar to any recovery under this section in any other action against the same defendant on account of any violation with respect to the same person prior to the institution of the action in which such judgment was rendered. Action to recover liquidated damages under the provisions of this section shall not be brought later than one-year after the date of the violation. A single action for damages under the provisions of this section may include all violations of the provisions of this section committed by the same defendant against the same person. D. The above remedies are in addition to, not replacement of, any other remedies provided under applicable law.
Rockland, Mass., Code of Bylaws CH. 288 § 288-11 establishes civil remedies for rent overcharges under the town's rent control bylaw. A landlord who collects rent above the lawful maximum can be held liable for liquidated damages of either $100 or up to three times the overcharge amount — whichever is greater — plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs. If the landlord can show the violation was neither willful nor the result of failing to take practicable precautions, damages are limited to the actual overcharge amount. These civil remedies stack on top of any other legal remedies available under applicable law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under CH. 288 § 288-11, operators who comply with Rockland's rent control bylaw avoid exposure to potentially significant civil liability, including treble damages and attorney's fees. Compliant property managers maintain accurate records of the maximum lawful rent for each unit and ensure that all rent demands, acceptances, and receipts stay within those limits. Demonstrating that any inadvertent overcharge was neither willful nor the result of failing to take practicable precautions can limit damages to the actual overcharge amount, making robust internal compliance procedures an important operational practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
CH. 288 § 288-11 gives tenants who have been charged above the maximum lawful rent the right to bring a civil action for liquidated damages — at least $100 or up to three times the overcharge, whichever is greater — along with attorney's fees and costs. Tenants generally have one year from the date of the violation to file suit, but if a tenant does not act within 60 days of the violation, the Rockland rent board may step in to settle the claim or bring its own action on the tenant's behalf. Tenants who believe they have been overcharged may wish to document all rent payments, review the applicable maximum rent for their unit, and consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand the options available under this provision.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 11, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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