Massachusetts Landlord-Tenant Laws: Complete Residential Guide (2025)
Manage overview of Massachusetts residential tenancy laws, including security deposits, evictions, lead paint rules, and the 2025 broker fee reform.
Legal Disclaimer
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Laws change frequently — always verify current regulations and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation. Landager is a property management platform, not a law firm.Information last verified: May 2026.
Since its admission to the Union on February 6, 1788, Massachusetts has developed a reputation as one of the most tenant-protective states in the United States. Governed primarily by Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 186 alongside the State Sanitary Code, the Commonwealth imposes strict regulations on security deposits, eviction procedures, habitability, and-as of 2025-real estate broker fees.
Official Law Citation: Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.) Chapter 186, Chapter 239, and Chapter 112, § 87DDD 1/2.
Key Massachusetts Landlord Laws at a Glance
Security Deposits (MGL Ch. 186, §15B)
Massachusetts has notoriously strict security deposit rules. A landlord can charge a maximum of one month's rent as a deposit. The deposit must be held in a separate, interest-bearing Massachusetts bank account. Within 30 days of receipt, the landlord must disclose the bank name, address, and account number. Willful violations can result in triple damages plus attorney's fees.
For more detail, see our Security Deposits deep dive.
Eviction Process
A Massachusetts eviction starts with a "Notice to Quit" (14 days for non-payment of rent, 30 days for lease violations or no-fault termination). After the notice expires, the landlord must file a Summary Process action in the Housing Court, District Court, or Superior Court (MGL Ch. 239). Self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities) are strictly illegal.
For more detail, see our Eviction Process guide.
Required Disclosures
Massachusetts requires extensive disclosures, most notably regarding lead paint (for pre-1978 buildings), the Statement of Condition for the security deposit, and information about the tenant's right to cure when receiving an eviction notice for non-payment.
For more detail, see our Required Disclosures guide.
Rent Increases
There is no statewide rent control in Massachusetts (abolished by referendum in 1994 via MGL Ch. 40P). Landlords can increase rent by any amount for a tenancy-at-will with at least 30 days' notice or one full rental period's notice, whichever is longer. A 2026 ballot initiative may seek to reintroduce local rent stabilization.
For more detail, see our Rent Increases guide.
Recent Legal Reforms
- Broker Fee Reform (MGL Ch. 112, § 87DDD 1/2): Effective August 1, 2025, a licensed broker or salesperson may only contract with one party (either the landlord or the tenant) in a rental transaction. Any fee shall only be paid by the party who originally engaged and entered into a contract with the licensed broker or salesperson.
- Dual Agency Ban (Aug 1, 2025): Effective August 1, 2025, a licensed broker or salesperson may only contract with one party (either the landlord or the tenant) in a rental transaction, effectively prohibiting dual agency in rentals.
- Eviction Record Sealing (Acts of 2024, Ch. 150): Effective May 5, 2025, tenants may petition the court to seal records of certain eviction cases (e.g., cases dismissed, cases where the tenant won, or non-payment cases where the judgment was satisfied). Once sealed, tenants may legally answer "no record" to inquiries about those evictions on housing applications.
- Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs): Effective February 2, 2025, property owners have the right to build one ADU of up to 900 square feet (or 50% of the primary dwelling's area, whichever is smaller) on any lot zoned for single-family residential use "as of right," meaning no special permit or variance is required.
Getting Started with Compliance
Managing a rental property in Massachusetts-particularly in the Greater Boston area-requires meticulous attention to the security deposit statute. A single misstep under §15B can cost a landlord three times the deposit amount. Landager helps you automate your compliance workflow, from generating legally compliant Statements of Condition to tracking your 30-day deposit return deadlines.
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