Tenant Rulebook
General information from state law and official guides, not legal advice. Cities and counties can add their own rules.

All states

Landlord and tenant rules in Massachusetts

The statewide rules on deposits, notice, entry and rent in Massachusetts, mainly from the Massachusetts General Laws chapter 186. Checked 29 October 2026.

Security deposits and fees

Security deposit limit

1 month's rent1,2M.G.L. c. 186, s. 15B(1)(b)

A security deposit may not be more than one month's rent.

Deposit return deadline

30 days1,2M.G.L. c. 186, s. 15B(4)

The landlord must return the deposit, with interest and less any allowed deductions, within 30 days after the tenancy ends.

Interest on deposits

Required, 5% or the bank's lower rate1M.G.L. c. 186, s. 15B(3)(b)

For a deposit held a year or more, the landlord must pay interest each year at 5%, or the lower rate the bank actually paid.

Late fees

No late fee until 30 days late1,2M.G.L. c. 186, s. 15B(1)(c)

A lease may not charge interest or a penalty on late rent until it is 30 days overdue.

Notice, entry and rent

Tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy

30 days or one rental period, whichever is longer3,2M.G.L. c. 186, s. 12

Either side can end a tenancy at will with written notice equal to the time between rent payments or 30 days, whichever is longer.

Landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy

30 days or one rental period, whichever is longer3,2M.G.L. c. 186, s. 12

A landlord must give the same written notice, equal to the time between rent payments or 30 days, whichever is longer.

Notice of a rent increase

Same notice as ending a tenancy at will2

The Attorney General says a landlord can raise rent for a tenant at will by giving the same notice needed to end the tenancy.

Statewide rent limits

None statewide, cities and towns barred by law4M.G.L. c. 40P, s. 4

Massachusetts law bars cities and towns from enacting or enforcing rent control, apart from a narrow exception that requires owner consent and compensation.

Landlord entry

Advance arrangement required2

The Attorney General says the landlord must arrange entry with the tenant in advance, except in a repair emergency. The guide gives no set number of hours.

Notice for unpaid rent

14 days5,3M.G.L. c. 186, s. 11, 12

A landlord must give 14 days' written notice to quit for unpaid rent. A tenant at will who has not had such a notice in the past 12 months can stop the eviction by paying the full rent due within 10 days of receiving it.

Many cities and counties add their own rules, such as rent stabilization or longer notice periods, and a lease can give a tenant more protection than the law requires. Check your local housing office or a legal aid group before you act.

Sources

  1. M.G.L. c. 186, s. 15B, Massachusetts Legislatureofficial
  2. The Attorney General's Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights, Massachusetts Attorney General's Officeofficial
  3. M.G.L. c. 186, s. 12, Massachusetts Legislatureofficial
  4. M.G.L. c. 40P, s. 4, Massachusetts Legislatureofficial
  5. M.G.L. c. 186, s. 11, Massachusetts Legislatureofficial

"Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read.