Actions for rent or possession by landlord during state active duty.

An eviction, distress action, or requirement for deposit of accrued rent into the registry of the court, as provided in part II of chapter 83, may not proceed against any member who is called into state active duty during the period of such state active duty or active duty if the servicemember has given written notice to the affected landlord with regard to any premises where the agreed-upon rent does not exceed $1,200 per month and where the rental unit is occupied chiefly as a residential dwelling by the servicemember, the servicemember’s spouse, or dependent. The court may on its own motion and shall, on application, stay the proceedings for not longer than 3 months unless, in the opinion of the court, the ability of the tenant to pay the agreed rent has not been materially affected by reason of state active duty or active duty.