Cal. Civ. Code § 7
Remedies of landlords
Operative Text
Section 7. The six preceding sections shall not deprive landlords of any other legal remedy for the recovery of rents, whether secured by lease or by law.
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 186 § 7 clarifies that the six sections immediately preceding it—which establish certain tenant remedies and procedures—do not eliminate or limit the legal tools otherwise available to landlords for collecting unpaid rent. In other words, those earlier provisions operate alongside, rather than in place of, the broader body of landlord remedies recognized under Massachusetts law. Rent recovery rights that exist by contract (such as a lease) or by operation of law remain intact.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mass. Gen. Laws c. 186 § 7, property owners and managers retain the full range of legal remedies for rent recovery that exist outside of the six preceding sections of Chapter 186. Compliant operators typically document lease terms carefully and remain aware that statutory tenant protections in those earlier sections do not foreclose other collection avenues, such as civil actions for breach of contract or summary process proceedings. Familiarity with the interplay between § 7 and the preceding sections helps operators understand the full scope of options available when rent goes unpaid.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 186 § 7 means that even though the six sections before it provide certain protections and procedures, landlords are not limited to those frameworks when pursuing unpaid rent—they may also rely on other legal remedies available under Massachusetts law. Tenants should be aware that a landlord's ability to seek rent recovery can extend beyond the specific procedures outlined in the preceding sections of Chapter 186. Tenants who receive a rent-related legal claim may wish to review the protections offered by those preceding sections, consult a tenant-rights organization, or seek guidance on whether any defenses or counterclaims may apply to their situation.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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