Massachusetts Landlord-Tenant Laws

Massachusetts Rental Laws

Massachusetts Chapter 186: ESTATES FOR YEARS AND AT WILL

Termination for Nonpayment Notice
(Eviction Notice)
14-Day Notice or as Written in the Lease
Landlord can file for eviction immediately for holdover tenants.
Section 11: Determination of lease for nonpayment of rent
Section 11A: Termination of lease for nonpayment of rent
Section 12: Notice to determine estate at will
Termination for Lease Violation NoticeNo statute
Small Claim Court LimitMassachusetts Small Claim Court Limit is $7,000
Handling Abandoned Property
Section 4: Storage of property removed; notice of presence and condition of animals; liens and enforcement; penalties
Penalty for Self-Help EvictionThree times rent or three times actual damages
Tenant Withholding Rent for RepairsSection 127L: Repairs by tenants of residential premises to cure violations; reimbursement for cost
Required Disclosures Move-In Checklist Required –Section 15B: Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts;
Insurance Disclosure by Landlord – Section 21: Disclosure of insurance information by lessor; violations; waiver
Tax Increase – Section 15C: Residential real estate, lease payments based on real estate tax increases
Utilities – Section 22: Definitions; submeter installation; testing; water use charges; public housing development exemption
Non-Refundable Fees
Security Deposit RulesSecurity Deposit Amount: up to one month rent;
Disclosures:
Receipt of the amount of deposit held, date received, name and signature of the person who received it, the property address, and the tenant address
A separate escrow account is required: Within 30 Days of receipt of the deposit, disclosure of the name and location of the bank, the account number, and the amount of the deposit.
Interest payments: 5% interest or the amount received from the bank (must be in Massachusetts)
Deadline for return of security deposit: 30 Days
Month-to-Month NoticeSection 12: Notice to determine estate at will
Payment of RentSection 15B: Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts; interest; records; security deposits
Late fees cannot be imposed until the rent is 30 days late.
Property Entry
Notice
No notice specified

Landlord-Tenant State Laws