Landlord-tenant law

Massachusetts Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for Massachusetts.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

$
Security Deposit Max
1 month's rent
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(1)(b)
↩
Deposit Return Deadline
30 days
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(4)
!
Non-Payment Eviction Notice
14-day notice to pay or quit
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 11
✕
Month-to-Month Termination
30 days (or one full rental period, whichever is longer)
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 12
¢
Late Fee Cap
No statutory cap (must be reasonable)
⏱
Grace Period
30 days (late fees may not apply until rent is 30 days overdue)
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(1)(c)
Massachusetts specific notes

Massachusetts has extremely strict security deposit rules. Technical violations (e.g., failure to provide a receipt, improper escrow, failing to pay annual interest) can result in automatic triple-damage penalties. The 30-day late-fee grace period is the longest in the country. Boston and some other municipalities have local rent-stabilization boards; verify before citing statewide rules for Boston properties.

FAQ

Common Massachusetts landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Massachusetts?+
1 month's rent. Governed by Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(1)(b). Deposit must be returned within 30 days after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in Massachusetts for non-payment of rent?+
14-day notice to pay or quit. Per Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 11. This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in Massachusetts?+
30 days (or one full rental period, whichever is longer). Per Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 12. This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in Massachusetts?+
No statutory cap (must be reasonable). Grace period: 30 days (late fees may not apply until rent is 30 days overdue). Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for Massachusetts

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Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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