State Landlord Laws
Massachusetts Landlord
Tenant Laws
Security deposit limits, notice requirements, rent control status, and the forms you need as a Massachusetts landlord.
Massachusetts Landlord-Tenant Law at a Glance
Maximum is 1 month's rent (MGL c. 186, § 15B). Must be returned within 30 days with itemized deductions. Landlord must hold the deposit in a separate interest-bearing account.
14-day notice to pay or quit for nonpayment. 30-day notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. After notice, an eviction can take months.
Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville passed rent control measures in recent years (2023–2024 ballot measures in several cities are pending or in effect). No statewide rent control.
- ›Move-in checklist and receipt for last month's rent (MGL c. 186, § 15B)
- ›Statement of condition
- ›Tenant rights pamphlet (Attorney General)
- ›Lead paint disclosure — mandatory inspection for pre-1978 properties (MGL c. 111, § 197)
Massachusetts has one of the most tenant-protective eviction processes. Summary Process cases typically take 2–4 months from filing to execution.
Get an attorney-reviewed, state-specific lease for Massachusetts — includes all required disclosures and clauses.
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Attorney-reviewed lease templates for all 50 states. Includes move-in checklists, rent increase notices, eviction notices, and more.
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Separate your rental finances from personal accounts. Collect rent, track expenses by property, and generate tax-ready reports — all from one landlord-specific bank account.
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