Cal. Civ. Code § 29
Owner immunity from liability
Operative Text
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.
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 186 § 29 establishes a liability shield for property owners who act in good faith when following the domestic-violence-related housing protections set out in sections 23–28 of the same chapter, or when complying with a court order such as one issued under Chapter 209A. When an owner changes locks, withholds a key from an alleged perpetrator, or otherwise follows those statutory requirements in good faith, the law removes exposure to damages claims from vacated tenants, co-tenants, household members, or third parties. Additionally, an owner who can show a genuine good-faith effort to comply with sections 23–29 is shielded from enhanced multiple damages and attorney's fee awards even if the compliance was imperfect.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mass. Gen. Laws c. 186 § 29, operators who document their efforts to follow the lock-change and related procedures in sections 23–28—or who act pursuant to a Chapter 209A or other court order—generally position themselves within the statute's good-faith immunity. Compliant operators typically keep records showing the basis for their actions, such as copies of court orders received and the dates on which lock changes were carried out. Because the immunity in subsection (b) specifically covers multiple damages and attorney's fees, maintaining clear documentation of a good-faith compliance effort is a standard practice among property managers working under these provisions.
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 § 29 defines the boundaries of an owner's protection from liability, which means tenants and household members retain the ability to challenge conduct that falls outside a genuine good-faith effort to comply with sections 23–28. If an owner's actions appear to go beyond what a court order required, or seem inconsistent with the statutory procedures, those facts may be relevant to whether the immunity actually applies. Tenants who believe an owner acted improperly can explore options such as raising the issue with a local tenant-rights organization, contacting a legal aid office, or consulting with an attorney familiar with Massachusetts housing law.
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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