MA · LEASE-AGMT · Updated July 2026 · Free
Massachusetts Lease Agreement
✓100% FREE PERSONALIZED DOCUMENT
· NO REGISTRATION· NO CREDIT CARD· NO EMAIL REQUIRED· WORD & PDF DOWNLOAD
Massachusetts at a glance: Security Deposit Limit: 1 month's rent · Deposit Return Deadline: 30 days after move-out · Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month: 30 days (equal to rental period)
Instant Template
Blank Massachusetts Lease Agreement — ready now
Download the fill-in-the-blank template instantly, or view it first. No account, no questions.
Edit online — fill it in step by stepMassachusetts-specific clauses · autosaves as you go
Overview
Lease Agreements in Massachusetts
Massachusetts landlord-tenant law is governed by Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 and ch. 239. Massachusetts caps security deposits at one month's rent — one of the stricter limits in the country — and requires deposits returned within 30 days.
Massachusetts has no current statewide or active local rent control. Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline previously had rent control repealed by a 1994 statewide referendum. Evictions begin with a 14-day notice for non-payment.
Key Facts
Massachusetts Lease Agreement — Quick Reference
| Requirement | Massachusetts Rule |
|---|---|
| Security Deposit Limit | 1 month's rent |
| Deposit Return Deadline | 30 days after move-out |
| Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month | 30 days (equal to rental period) |
| Eviction Notice (Non-Payment) | 14-Day Notice to Quit |
| Deposit Interest | Required annually (5% or savings rate) |
| Rent Control | None (repealed statewide in 1994) |
| Governing Law | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 |
Legal Requirements
Massachusetts Legal Requirements
- Security deposit capped at 1 month's rent.
- Deposits must be held in a separate interest-bearing account.
- Annual interest (5% or bank rate) must be paid to tenant each year.
- Landlords must provide a written receipt for the deposit.
- Deposits must be returned within 30 days with itemized deductions.
- Lead paint disclosure required for pre-1978 properties; Massachusetts requires deleading for units with children under 6.
Governing Laws
Massachusetts Governing Laws
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B
Security Deposits
Strictly limits deposits to 1 month's rent, requires interest-bearing accounts, annual interest payments, and return within 30 days with itemized deductions.
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 239, § 1
Summary Process (Evictions)
Governs Massachusetts eviction proceedings. After a 14-day notice to quit for non-payment, the landlord may file a summary process action.
Read the full text of these laws at Cornell Law School's Massachusetts legal resources or your state legislature's official website.
Questions & Answers
Massachusetts Lease Agreement — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the security deposit limit in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts strictly caps security deposits at one month's rent. This limit cannot be waived. The deposit must be held in a separate interest-bearing account and returned within 30 days of move-out.
Does a Massachusetts landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit?
Yes. Massachusetts requires landlords to pay annual interest on security deposits at 5% or the bank's rate, whichever is lower. Failure to comply with deposit rules can result in forfeiture of the entire deposit.
Does Massachusetts have rent control?
No. Massachusetts voters repealed rent control statewide in 1994. Boston, Cambridge, and Brookline previously had local programs. There is currently no active rent control in Massachusetts.