Massachusetts Landlord Laws & Resources

Everything Massachusetts landlords need to operate legally and confidently: security deposit rules, notice periods, required lease clauses, broker fee disclosures, and statute citations.

List a Property in Massachusetts

Security Deposit Rules

1.00 mo Maximum Deposit (months of rent)

30 days Return Deadline After Move-Out

5.00% Annual Interest Owed to Tenant

Not required Escrow Account

Last month's rent (LMR) may be collected separately from the deposit cap.

Statute: M.G.L. c.186 s.15B

Notice Requirements

Notice Type	Required Period	Statute
Broker Fee Disclosure (Landlord-Pays Required)	—	M.G.L. c. 112, sec. 87DDD3/4 (as amended Aug 2025)
Annual Security Deposit Interest	—	M.G.L. c. 186 § 15B(3)(b)
Reasonable Notice to Enter	—	M.G.L. c. 186, sec. 15B(1)(a)
30-day Notice of Non-Renewal (or rental period, whichever longer)	30 days	M.G.L. c. 186 § 12
14-day Notice to Quit for Non-Payment	14 days	M.G.L. c. 186 § 11
14-Day Notice to Quit for Nonpayment	14 days	M.G.L. c. 186, sec. 11 & 11A
30-Day Notice to Terminate Tenancy	30 days	M.G.L. c. 186, sec. 12
30-Day Notice of Rent Increase	30 days	M.G.L. c. 186, sec. 12 (by analogy)
Security Deposit Return	30 days	M.G.L. c. 186, sec. 15B

Broker Fee Rules

MA Broker Fee — Tenant or Landlord Pays

Tenant owes broker fee: Yes

Written disclosure required: Yes

Either party can be charged; landlord-paid is common in upscale, tenant-paid common in mid-market. Disclosure required under DPL regulations.

Effective: 1980-01-01

Required & Recommended Lease Clauses

State-specific lease clauses for Massachusetts are being updated.