Source: https://go.landlordstudio.com/pages/massachusetts-landlord-tenant-laws
Timestamp: 2020-08-07 15:08:55
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Massachusetts Landlord-Tenant Laws - LandlordBoss - Landlord Studio
Massachusetts Landlord-Tenant Laws
This article summarizes some key Massachusetts Landlord-Tenant Laws applicable to residential rental units.
Massachusetts General Law c.186 – Estates for Years and At Will / Landlord and Tenant Law
Massachusetts General Law c.151 s.4 – Fair Housing Laws
Massachusetts General Law c.218 s.21-28 – District Courts / Small Claims
Massachusetts General Law c.239 – Summary Process for Possession of Land
105 CMR 410 – Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation (pdf)
940 CMR 3.17 – Landlord and Tenant (pdf)
[GUIDE] Massachusetts Consumer Guide to Tenant Rights and Responsibilities (pdf)
[GUIDE] Evictions – Tenants’ Rights in Massachusetts (pdf)
[GUIDE] Mobile Homes – Tenant’s Rights in Massachusetts (pdf)
[GUIDE] Good Neighbors Handbook – A Guide for Boston Landlords & Tenants (pdf)
Security Deposit Maximum: One month’s rent. (MGL c.186 § 15B(1)(b)(iii))
Deadline for Returning Security Deposit: 30 days after occupancy (MGL c.186 § 15B(3)(a))
Security Deposit Interest: For yearly leases, landlord must pay 5% interest per year, or other such lesser amount of interest as has been received from the bank where the deposit has been held payable to the tenant at the end of each year of the tenancy. Such interest shall be paid over to the tenant each year, however, that in the event that the tenancy is terminated before the anniversary date of the tenancy, the tenant shall receive all accrued interest within thirty days of such termination. (MGL c.186 § 15B(3)(b))
Required, the deposit shall be held in a separate, interest-bearing account in a bank, located within Massachusetts. (MGL c.186 § 15B(3)(a))
The deposit hall not be commingled with the assets of the landlord. (MGL c.186 § 15B(1)(e))
Statement of Condition: If collecting a deposit, within 10 days of move-in, landlord must provide a statement documenting the condition of the premises. It must contain specific language found in MGL c.186 § 15B(2)(c).
Move-Out Checklist/Itemized List of Damages and Charges: Yes, landlord must provide an itemized list of damages within 30 days after tenant departure. Landlord must itemizing in precise detail the nature of the damage and of the repairs necessary to correct such damage, and provide written evidence, such as estimates, bills, invoices or receipts, indicating the actual or estimated cost thereof. (MGL c.186 § 15B(4)(iii))
Record Keeping of Deposit Withholdings: Two years. Landlords are required to keep specific information described in MGL c.186 § 15B(2)(d)(iii).
Receipt of Deposit: A receipt shall be given to the tenant within thirty days after the deposit is received. The receipt shall indicate the name and location of the bank in which it has been deposited and the amount and account number of said deposit. (MGL c.186 § 15B(3)(a))
Failure to Comply: If the landlord fails to comply with (MGL c.186 § 15B(6)(a), (d), or (e)), the tenant shall be awarded damages in an amount equal to three times the amount of such security deposit or balance thereof to which the tenant is entitled plus interest at the rate of 5% from the date when such payment became due, together with court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees. (MGL c.186 § 15B(7))
Exemptions: The provisions MGL c.186 § 15B of shall not apply to any lease, rental, occupancy or tenancy of one hundred days or less in duration which lease or rental is for a vacation or recreational purpose. (MGL c.186 § 15B(9))
Rent Increase Notice: 30 days. (source)
Rent Grace Period: 30 Days (MGL c.186 § 15B(1)(c))
Late Fees: Allowed (MGL c.186 § 15B(1)(c))
Prepaid Rent: First and last month’s rent is the maximum allowed to be collected at or prior to the commencement of any tenancy. (MGL c.186 § 15B(1)(b)(i-ii)) Landlord must provide a receipt of any prepaid rent. Landlord must pay interest to the tenant on any prepaid rent: 5% interest per year, or other such lesser amount of interest as has been received from the bank where the prepaid rent has been held, payable to the tenant at the end of the tenancy. (MGL c.186 § 15B(2)(a))
Returned Check Fees: May not exceed $30. (source)
Tenant Allowed to Withhold Rent for Failure to Provide Essential Services (Water, Heat, etc.): Yes, but it must be deposited with a clerk of the courts and follow instructions found in MGL c.239 § 8.
Tenant Allowed to Repair and Deduct Rent: Yes, but the tenant must give landlord 14 days written notice to repair the defect. A tenant may not deduct an amount greater than four months’ rent in any twelve-month period, or period of occupancy, whichever is shorter, from rent due to the owner. (MGL c.111 § 127L)
Landlord Allowed to Recover Court and Attorney Fees: Yes (MGL c.186 § 15B(7))
Notice to Terminate Tenancy – Lease with No End Date: If payment intervals are 3 month’s or longer, then 3 month’s notice is required. (MGL c.186 § 12)
Notice to Terminate Tenancy – Month-to-Month Lease: Equal to the interval between the days of payment or thirty days, whichever is longer. (MGL c.186 § 12)
Notice of Termination of All Other Leases for Nonpayment: 14 days notice. Tenant can remedy or pay with interest during that time if tenant has not received a notice to quit for nonpayment of rent within the last twelve months. (MGL c.186 § 11, MGL c.186 § 12)
Termination for Illegal Activity: Landlords may terminate a tenancy with no notice to the tenant if a unit was used for prostitution, illegal gambling, the illegal keeping or sale of alcoholic beverages, or the possession, sale, or manufacturing of illegal drugs, among other violations. (MGL c.139 § 19)
Required Notice before Entry: No Statute, but 24 hours is recommended. (MGL c.186 § 15B(1)(a))
Entry Allowed with Notice for Maintenance and Repairs (non-emergency): Yes (MGL c.186 § 15B(1)(a))
Entry Allowed with Notice for Showings: Yes (MGL c.186 § 15B(1)(a))
Emergency Entry Allowed without Notice: Yes (MGL c.186 § 15B(1)(a))
Entry Allowed During Tenant’s Extended Absence: No Statute (MGL c.186 § 15B(1)(a))
Utility Shut-offs Allowed: No (MGL c.186 § 14)
Penalty for a Self-Help Eviction: If the landlord illegally evicts a tenant, the tenant may recover possession of the unit, or terminate the rental agreement and, in either case, recover three months’ rent or three times the damages sustained, and the cost of suit, including reasonable attorney’s fees. (MGL c.186 § 15F)
Landlord Responsibilities: (handbook)
Water: The landlord must provide the means for enough water and pressure to satisfy ordinary needs. Landlord also must provide the means to heat the water to 110F-130F degrees. Tenant may be responsible for the cost of water and fuel to heat it.
Heat: From September 16 to June 14, every room must be heated to at least 68º F between 7:00 AM and 11 PM, and at least 64º F at all other hours. Tenant may be responsible for the fuel/electricity to heat the unit.
Kitchen: The landlord must provide within the kitchen: a sink of sufficient size and capacity for washing dishes and kitchen utensils, a stove and oven in good repair (unless your written lease requires you to provide your own), and space and proper facilities for the installation of a refrigerator. The landlord does not have to provide a refrigerator. If a refrigerator is provided, however, the landlord must keep it in working order.
Cockroaches and Rodents: The landlord must maintain the unit free from rodents, cockroaches, and insect infestation, if there are two or more apartments in the building.
Name and Addresses: Landlord must disclose the name and address of the property owner, anyone authorized to manage the property, amount of security deposit, and the tenant’s security deposit rights. (handbook)
Disclosure of Insurance: Within 15 days of request by a tenant or government official, the landlord must provide the name of the property insurance company, the amount of insurance, and the name of any person who would receive payment for a loss covered by such insurance. Violation of this shall be punishable by a fine not more than $500. (MGL c.186 § 21)
Proof of Status: Landlord is entitled to verify claim of Domestic Violence status. (MGL c.186 § 24(a))
Termination of Lease: A tenant is allowed to terminate a lease with proof of Domestic Violence status, however the request to terminate must happen within 3 months from the incident date. (MGL c.186 § 24(b))
Landlord Cannot Terminate Lease: A landlord may not refuse to enter into a rental agreement based on the tenant’s or applicant’s or a household member’s status as a victim of domestic violence, or having previously terminated a lease or requested a lock change due to domestic violence. (MGL c.186 § 25)
Locks: Upon request, the landlord must change the locks or allow the tenant to change the locks to the dwelling at the tenant’s expense. (MGL c.186 § 26)
Retaliation: Landlord must not terminate a lease, refuse to renew a lease, or raise the rent to a tenant who has, exercised a legal right, filed an official complaint to a Government Authority, has been involved in a tenant’s organization, or has withheld rent for poor condition. Retaliation will be assumed if landlord responds negatively within 6 months of tenants action. (MGL c.186 § 18, MGL c.239 § 2A)
Children: Landlord may not prohibit or restrict the occupancy of children. (MGL c.186 § 16)
Massachusetts Small Claims Court Limits: $7,000 (MGL c.218 § 21)(website)
Massachusetts Small Claims Forms
Massachusetts Law About Small Claims
Massachusetts District Courts by County
MassLegalServices.org – Find Legal Aid
MassLegalHelp.org – Housing
MassLegalHelp.org – Tenants’ Rights in Massachusetts: Private Housing
MassLawHelp.org – Official Massachusetts Lawyer Referral Program
Boston Legal Help:
Good Neighbors Handbook – A Guide for Boston Landlords & Tenants (pdf)
Massachusetts Law Guide Landlord-Tenant
MIT Guide to Discrimination and Tenant’s Rights
Massachusetts Housing Code Checklist
[GUIDE] A Massachusetts Guide to Insurance for Your Home and Ways to Help Reduce Your Insurance Premiums (pdf)
[GUIDE] A Massachusetts Guide to Understanding the Insurance Policy Covering Your Home (pdf)
Massachusetts Union of Public Housing Tenants’
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – Massachusetts
Fair Housing Counsel of Greater Boston
Licensing of Real Estate Brokers/Salespersons:
Information: Real Estate Board (617) 727-2373
Complaints: Office of Investigations (617) 727-7406
Lead Paint Removal:
(617) 624-5757; Toll Free: (800) 532-9571
Face-to-Face Mediation:
For the program in your area call:
617-727-8400; www.mass.gov/ago
Housing Consumer Education Center:
(800) 224-5124; www.masshousinginfo.org
To Obtain Legal Assistance:
Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer Referral Program
(617) 654-0400; Toll Free in MA: (800) 392-6164