Peabody, Mass., Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. II (2026) § 18-72
Defense to summary process for possession
Operative Text
The Rent Board may issue orders which shall be a defense to an action of summary process for possession and such orders shall be reviewable as herein provided.
Under Peabody Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. II § 18-72, the Rent Board has authority to issue orders that can serve as a legal defense in eviction proceedings. When such an order is in place, a tenant facing a summary process action for possession may invoke it to contest the eviction. These orders are also subject to review through the process established elsewhere in the ordinance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Landlords and property managers operating under Peabody Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. II § 18-72 should be aware that outstanding Rent Board orders can be raised as a defense in summary process proceedings they initiate. Operators who stay current with Rent Board decisions and ensure compliance before pursuing possession actions are generally better positioned to avoid procedural complications. Maintaining thorough records of compliance with any applicable Rent Board orders is a common practice among compliant operators.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Peabody Code of Ordinances ch. 18, art. II § 18-72, tenants facing eviction through a summary process action may have the ability to raise a valid Rent Board order as a defense in those proceedings. If a Rent Board order has been issued that is relevant to your tenancy, it may be worth exploring whether that order applies to the eviction action you are facing. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services familiar with Peabody's rent ordinance can help explain how this defense and the associated review process work in practice.
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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