Massachusetts landlord and tenant rules

Seayora publishes 8 Massachusetts rules, covering contractor sales tax, notice periods, security deposits. Every one is generated from the statute it cites — the same rule Seayora's own deadline engine enforces on a live tenancy — and carries the date it was last checked.

Massachusetts at a glance

RuleMassachusetts
Do contractors charge sales tax in Massachusetts?Consumer of materials
How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in Massachusetts?14 days
How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering in Massachusetts?24 hours
How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in Massachusetts?30 days
How much notice must a landlord give to end a tenancy in Massachusetts?30 days
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Massachusetts?5 % or the bank rate, paid annually; the deposit must be in a separate Massachusetts account named to the tenant.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Massachusetts?30 days
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Massachusetts?1 month of rent

Contractor sales tax in Massachusetts

Do contractors charge sales tax in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts a contractor is treated as the CONSUMER of the materials they build into real property. That means the contractor pays sales tax when they buy the materials, and does not add sales tax to the customer's invoice for that work — the tax is already inside the price. Source: 830 CMR 64H.6.7 (out-of-state and in-state contractors are the consumers of materials used in construction).

Full answer and the checkable figures.

Notice periods in Massachusetts

How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a landlord must give a written demand and allow 14 days to pay before starting a nonpayment case. This is M.G.L. c. 186, §§ 11–12.

One full rental period (30 days minimum). Entry: reasonable notice, 24 hours customary. Late rent: 14-day notice to quit.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a landlord must give 24 hours notice before entering an occupied rental, other than in an emergency. This is M.G.L. c. 186, §§ 11–12.

One full rental period (30 days minimum). Entry: reasonable notice, 24 hours customary. Late rent: 14-day notice to quit.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a landlord must give 30 days written notice before raising the rent. This is M.G.L. c. 186, §§ 11–12.

One full rental period (30 days minimum). Entry: reasonable notice, 24 hours customary. Late rent: 14-day notice to quit.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

How much notice must a landlord give to end a tenancy in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a landlord must give 30 days written notice to end a tenancy or decline to renew it. This is M.G.L. c. 186, §§ 11–12.

One full rental period (30 days minimum). Entry: reasonable notice, 24 hours customary. Late rent: 14-day notice to quit.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

Security deposits in Massachusetts

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Massachusetts?

Yes. Massachusetts requires a landlord to pay the tenant interest on a security deposit. 5 % or the bank rate, paid annually; the deposit must be in a separate Massachusetts account named to the tenant. The deposit itself must be returned within 30 days of the end of the tenancy. This is M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a landlord has 30 days after the tenancy ends to return the security deposit, together with an itemised statement of any deductions. Massachusetts also requires interest to be paid on the deposit: 5 % or the bank rate, paid annually; the deposit must be in a separate Massachusetts account named to the tenant. This is M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a security deposit is capped at 1 month of rent. One month's rent. This is M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B.

Full answer and the checkable figures.

Sources

  • 830 CMR 64H.6.7 (out-of-state and in-state contractors are the consumers of materials used in construction).
  • M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B
  • M.G.L. c. 186, §§ 11–12

This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.

How Seayora uses these rules

Seayora computes the deadline this rule sets from the tenancy’s own dates, shows it on the lease and the deposit statement, and reminds the landlord before it falls due — so the answer above is not reference material sitting beside the product, it is the rule the product enforces.

Compare Massachusetts with every other state

Other states

Related