Cal. Civ. Code § 18
Entry into land; legal proceedings required to recover possession of land or tenements; jurisdiction
Operative Text
Section 18. No person shall make an entry into land or tenements except in cases where his entry is allowed by law, and in such cases he shall not enter by force, but in a peaceable manner. No person shall attempt to recover possession of land or tenements in any manner other than through an action brought pursuant to chapter two hundred and thirty-nine or such other proceedings authorized by law. The superior and district courts shall have jurisdiction in equity to enforce the provisions of this section.
Massachusetts General Laws c. 184, Section 18 establishes that entering onto land or into a rental unit is only permitted when the law specifically allows it, and even then the entry must be carried out peacefully—never by force. The provision further requires that anyone seeking to reclaim possession of property must do so through a formal legal process, such as a summary process action under Chapter 239, rather than through self-help measures. The Superior and District Courts are empowered to enforce these requirements through equity jurisdiction.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mass. Gen. Laws c. 184, Section 18, compliant property owners and managers pursue possession exclusively through the court system—typically a summary process (eviction) action under Chapter 239—rather than taking matters into their own hands. Operators generally avoid any conduct that could be characterized as a forcible or unauthorized entry, such as changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to pressure a tenant out. Familiarity with the formal legal channels available under this section is a standard part of managing rental property in Massachusetts.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 184, Section 18 protects occupants from being removed from their home through force or informal self-help tactics, regardless of any underlying dispute with a landlord. If a tenant believes a landlord has made an unauthorized or forcible entry, or has attempted to recover possession outside of a lawful court proceeding, that conduct may constitute a violation of this section enforceable in the Superior or District Court. Tenants who believe their rights under Section 18 have been violated can explore options such as contacting a local tenant-rights organization, reaching out to a housing court clerk for procedural information, or raising the violation as a defense or counterclaim in any pending legal proceeding.
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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