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Mass. General Laws c.186

Estates for years and at will (Landlord-tenant law)

This page links to an unofficial version of each section of G.L. c. 186. Please note that sections that appear missing have been either reserved for future use or repealed.

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§ 1A Land demised for term of 100 years or more regarded as estate in fee simple 
§ 3 Tenancy at sufferance; liability for rent 
§ 4 Liability of tenant for rent for proportion of land in possession 
§ 5 Action to recover rent; evidence 
§ 6 Survival of action 
§ 7 Remedies of landlords 
§ 8 Recovery of rent accruing before determination of lease 
§ 9 Recovery of rent paid in advance 
§ 10 Rent as a necessary 
§ 11 Determination of lease for nonpayment of rent 
§ 11A Termination of lease for nonpayment of rent 
§ 12 Notice to determine estate at will 
§ 13 Recovery of possession after termination of tenancy at will 
§ 13A Tenants deemed to be at will upon foreclosure of residential real property; status of tenancy agreements where rental payment subsidized under state or federal law 
§ 14 Wrongful acts of landlord; premises used for dwelling or residential purposes; utilities, services, quiet enjoyment; penalties; remedies; waiver 
§ 15 Non-liability of landlord; provisions in lease or rental agreement 
§ 15A Waiver of notices; lease or rental agreement provisions; validity 
§ 15B Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts; interest; records; security deposits 

Amended by St. 2025, c. 9, §§ 54-55, effective August 1, 2025

§ 15C Residential real estate, lease payments based on real estate tax increases 
§ 15D Oral agreement to execute lease; delivery of lease copy; penalty; waiver 
§ 15E Action against owner; injuries due to defects violating building code; defense; waiver 
§ 15F Residential leases or rental agreements restricting litigation or landlord liability; ouster of tenant; remedies 
§ 16 Leases or rental agreements restricting occupancy of children 
§ 17 Occupancy constituting tenancy at will; termination 
§ 17A Residential care and services; housing facility providers; eviction; hearing; jurisdiction 
§ 18 Reprisal for reporting violations of law or for tenant's union activity; damages and costs; notice of termination, presumption; waiver in leases or other rental agreements prohibited 
§ 19 Notice to landlord of unsafe condition; tort actions for injuries resulting from uncorrected condition 
§ 20 Attorneys' fees and expenses; residential lease provisions; implied covenant; waiver 
§ 21 Disclosure of insurance information by lessor; violations; waiver 
§ 22 Definitions; submeter installation; testing; water use charges; public housing development exemption 
§ 23 Definitions applicable to Secs. 23 to 29 
§ 24 Termination of rental agreement or tenancy by victim of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or stalking 
§ 25 Refusal of rental agreement or assistance based on termination of rental agreement under Sec. 24 or request for change of lock under Sec. 26 prohibited 
§ 26 Change of locks upon request of tenant, co-tenant or household member believed to be under imminent threat of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or stalking 
§ 27 Jurisdiction of courts to restrain violation of Secs. 23 to 26; applicability of other laws to requests to change locks 
§ 28 Waivers of Secs. 23 to 27 void and unenforceable 
§ 29 Owner immunity from liability 
§ 30 Inspection of vacated property for presence of abandoned animals 

Added by St.2018, c.219, § 17, effective November 7, 2018

§ 31 Notice to quit for nonpayment of rent 

Amended by St.2023, c. 7, § 296, effective May 30, 2023

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