Notify tenant of intent to evict in Massachusetts: Massachusetts Eviction Notice
What we’ll cover
What is a Massachusetts Eviction Notice or Notice to Quit?
If you own or manage residential property in Massachusetts, you can create a Massachusetts Eviction Notice to notify renters of impending legal action if they do not comply with the terms of the lease agreement or leave the property when lawfully asked to do so.
With Massachusetts Eviction Notices, you can enforce your terms, while still giving your tenant(s) time to address the issue before a specific deadline. That said, in some instances, there won't be any resolution, and going to court is inevitable.
Our Eviction Notice for Massachusetts can be used for residential property within the Bay State. If rent control or local laws complicate your tenant eviction, you may want to consult a Rocket Legal Pro™.
When to use a Massachusetts Eviction Notice:
- Your tenant has failed to pay the rent.
- Your tenant has violated a provision of the lease or rental agreement.
- Your tenant materially damaged the property.
- Your tenant is a nuisance or has caused trouble among other tenants.
- Your tenant has used the property for illegal activity.
- You wish to end a periodic tenancy (such as month-to-month).
- The lease has expired and the tenant has remained on the property.
Please note: you may never forcibly evict a tenant without going through the formal tenant eviction process.
Sample Massachusetts Eviction Notice
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Complies with relevant laws
14 DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
, Massachusetts
TO TENANT(S) AND ALL OTHERS IN POSSESSION OF THE PREMISES LOCATED AT:
, , Massachusetts
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the tenancy
Note. If you have not received a notice to quit for nonpayment of rent within the last twelve months, you have a right to prevent termination of your tenancy by paying or tendering to your landlord, your landlord's attorney or the person to whom you customarily pay your rent the full amount of rent due within ten days after your receipt of this notice.
THIS IS INTENDED AS A FOURTEEN (14) DAY LEGAL NOTICE. THIS NOTICE IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH MASSACHUSETTS STATE LAW M.G.L.c. 186, § 11.
LANDLORD RESERVES ALL THE RIGHTS AND REMEDIES PROVIDED UNDER THE RENTAL AGREEMENT AND UNDER APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES FOR UNPAID RENT OR PROPERTY AND NOTHING IN THIS NOTICE MAY BE CONSTRUED AS A WAIVER OF SUCH RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.
Dated:
By:______________________________
| , , |
About Eviction Notices in Massachusetts
Learn about how to notify tenant of intent to evict in Massachusetts
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Different types and reasons for evictions in Massachusetts
REASON FOR EVICTION
TYPE OF NOTICE
NUMBER OF DAYS FOR NOTICE
LAWS
Nonpayment of rent
“Massachusetts 14-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Vacate”
14 days’ notice
Massachusetts General Laws ch. 186 § 11
Violation of lease or rental agreement
“Massachusetts Notice to Vacate”
If a provision exists in lease with a number of days, use that number (landlord’s choice); if nothing in lease, 30 days’ notice.
Massachusetts General Laws ch. 186 § 12
Massachusetts General Laws ch. 139, § 19
Termination of periodic tenancy
“Massachusetts Notice to Vacate”
30 days’ notice
Massachusetts General Laws ch. 186 § 12
Lease holdover
“Massachusetts Notice to Vacate”
Immediate
Massachusetts General Laws ch. 186 § 12
Damage, nuisance, or illegal activity
“Massachusetts Notice to Vacate”
Immediate
Massachusetts General Laws ch. 186 § 17
Regardless of the type of notice you need, we can help you build it. Get started now!
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Requirements, liabilities, and tenant protection for evictions in Massachusetts
EVICTION NOTICE REQUIREMENTS IN THE CASE OF: NONPAYMENT OF RENT
If a tenant doesn't pay rent on time according to a lease, the landlord may end the lease with 14 days' notice, unless the tenant pays everything they owe before the deadline. (ALM GL ch. 186, § 11)
For tenants renting without a fixed lease, if they don't pay rent on time, the landlord can end their agreement with 14 days' notice. However, if the tenant hasn't received a similar notice in the past year and pays all overdue rent within 10 days of getting the notice, the tenancy won't end. (ALM GL ch. 186, § 12)
EVICTION NOTICE REQUIREMENTS IN THE CASE OF: NONCOMPLIANCE
No statute.
NOTICE REQUIREMENTS AND LANDLORD LIABILITY REGARDING PERSONAL PROPERTY
No statute.
TENANT PROTECTION REGARDING FORECLOSURES
When a residential property gets foreclosed, a tenant with a valid existing lease will become a tenant at will. (ALM GL ch. 186, § 13A)
The new owner after foreclosure can't evict a tenant unless there's a good reason, such as not paying rent or breaking the lease. They have to give proper notice for specific reasons. Within 30 days of taking over, they have to put up a notice with their contact details in a noticeable spot in the building. (ALM GL ch. 186A, § 3)
MORE RELEVANT LAWS
ALM GL ch. 186, §§ 11 through 13A; ALM GL ch. 186A, §§ 1 through 6; ALM GL ch. 239, §§ 1 through 15; ALM Spec L ch. S57, § 1 through ch. S59, § 1.
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How to write a Massachusetts Eviction Notice
Below is a list of details you may need when preparing a Massachusetts Eviction Notice. Not all items will apply to every situation. Any documents related to the rental agreement, lease violation, including any late rent notices or proof of lease violation, will also be helpful.
1. Start with the rental addresses
Addresses of the rental property and landlord or property management company.
2. List all tenant names
Every tenant listed on the Lease Agreement, pays rent, or lives there must be included in the notice.
3. Include the status and date of the Lease Agreement
Whether the lease is still active or not, or if there is a lease at all.
4. Detail the reason that the notice is being served
Landlords should always refer to state laws regarding evictions to make sure they have a legally valid reason to evict a tenant. The reason for the eviction will determine the type of notice being delivered.
Review each provision in the lease or rental agreement. If you are evicting tenants for unpaid rent, determine the amount of unpaid rent, if any. If you are evicting tenants for lease violations, determine violations of the lease or rental agreement, if any. Including documentation and the original lease agreement is also a good idea.
Remember, you will need to confirm that any policies and terms referred to in the Eviction Notice are actually present in the fully executed rental contract or lease agreement.
5. Provide the number of days for the notice period
The Eviction Notice should clearly spell out how much time the tenant has to resolve the situation before further legal action is taken. Rocket Lawyer can help you determine how much notice is required for your state and situation and build the right type of Eviction Notice.
6. Attach the proof of service
When using a proof of service to document the delivery of an Eviction Notice, the serving party should sign the document at the time of delivery. In Massachusetts, this is often called an Affidavit of Service.
Luckily, you don't need to start from scratch when making a Massachusetts Eviction Notice with Rocket Lawyer. Just answer a few simple questions and we’ll build the right eviction notice for the situation, as well as help with next steps on how to serve your Eviction Notice.
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The eviction process in Massachusetts: what happens after making an Eviction Notice?
Now that you have made your Massachusetts Eviction Notice with Rocket Lawyer, you might be wondering: what now?
The next step is to serve it. You must sign the notice before serving it on the tenant(s) – and there are a few methods for serving the notice:
- Use a professional process server.
- Send it via certified mail.
- Deliver the notice in person.
Please remember that "self-help" or "DIY" evictions are illegal in Massachusetts. Landlords shouldn't throw out belongings, shut off utilities, change the locks, or in any way attempt to intimidate tenants in an effort to force them to move. Taking the appropriate lawful actions before and throughout the eviction process is critical to removing tenants successfully under a court order.
What happens after the notice period?
If a tenant does not pay rent or move out after the notice period, the landlord can choose to file an eviction lawsuit, also known as a Summary Process.
What are some essentials throughout the eviction process?
As you prepare to file for an eviction, it is always a good idea to work with a lawyer. An attorney with experience in evictions can answer your questions and help make sure you follow local laws and processes. Also, outside of reviewing your Eviction Notice document, your lawyer can help you prepare and argue your case once it goes in front of a judge.
In order to assemble all of your records for your lawyer, you may want to fill out an Eviction Process Worksheet. This document provides basic information about your tenant and their violation(s) of your rental agreement. You can also attach documentation, including a copy of the lease, photographs of the damage, repair estimates, written statements of witnesses, police reports, and other records to support your case.
If you need to move forward with legal action after delivering the Eviction Notice, you will need to file your lawsuit properly with the local courts. The Massachusetts website can tell you which documents you will need to file and what the fees might be – or you can ask a lawyer to get started and find an attorney in your state. A local lawyer with experience in evictions can help you navigate the process efficiently.
Massachusetts Eviction Notice FAQs
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Do I need an Eviction Notice in Massachusetts?
Generally speaking, yes, if you wish to remove a tenant from your Massachusetts rental property, you must always provide them with a Notice of Eviction first to start the process.
Some of the most common situations in which you might need one include:
- The tenant is habitually late to pay their rent or they are behind on payments.
- The tenant has caused substantial damage.
- The tenant harasses or disturbs the quiet enjoyment of their neighbors.
- The tenant is using your property for an illegal business.
- The tenant gets a dog or cat and the rental contract forbids pets.
- The tenant sublets their unit in breach of the agreement.
Outside of these violations, a renter may also be evicted for reasons unrelated to anything they’ve done wrong – like when the property owner needs to move back in.
Please note that the list above isn't exhaustive and that the acceptable reasons for evicting a tenant may be a little different from place to place. If you've got any concerns about Massachusetts eviction laws, reach out to a Rocket Legal Pro™.
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Do I need a lawyer if I am evicting someone in Massachusetts?
While you can choose to make a Massachusetts Eviction Notice without support from a lawyer, many landlords find having a lawyer available for questions and consultations extremely helpful.
A Rocket Legal Pro™ with experience in landlord-tenant matters can help you with evictions, or any other issues that may arise. A Rocket Legal+ membership provides significant discounts on Pro Services, including attorney consultations, and unlimited customizable and e-signable rental documents, at an incredibly low price.
As a property owner or manager, you can be confident that Rocket Lawyer is by your side.
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How do Massachusetts eviction laws affect me as a rental property owner?
Laws change depending on where you (and your property) are. The notice periods in Massachusetts, for example, might be different from the ones in other states – in fact, there might even be differences between counties and cities. All the ways the document may be served to the tenant also vary.
This is all to say that the eviction process and restrictions can be complicated to navigate, particularly when keeping in mind state-specific requirements. As a result, it is strongly recommended that every property owner connect with a lawyer when making a Notice of Eviction in Massachusetts - or anywhere else - to any tenant.
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How do I create a Massachusetts Eviction Notice template for free?
Don’t worry – you don’t have to make it all on your own: you can use the document tools on Rocket Lawyer to make a Massachusetts Eviction Notice for free. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions and we will put together a customized notice for you, piece by piece, and with all the details customized to your situation. This is often much less time-consuming than other solutions.
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How is a Massachusetts Notice to Vacate structured?
That might change a little depending on the type of Eviction Notice you may need. However, some information must always be provided. Before getting started, you might want to gather the following critical details:
- The address and description of the property.
- The renter's contact information.
- How many past due rent payments should be made (if any) to bring the tenant into compliance with the lease or rental agreement.
- Which of the lease clauses have been violated (and a copy of the Lease Agreement, in this case).
- How much time the tenant has to resolve the situation.
In the event that the tenant isn't at fault, you may want to provide more context. Further customization is permitted as well. You'll need to confirm that all of the policies and terms mentioned in the Massachusetts Eviction Notice are present in the fully executed rental contract.
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How much might it normally cost to evict a tenant in Massachusetts?
The cost of an eviction varies widely depending on your location and the specifics of the situation. Some things to consider are the cost of filing court documents, legal fees, the value of unrecovered payments, storage or cleaning fees, as well as the money and time spent finding a replacement tenant.
A Rocket Legal+ membership provides savings for some of these expenses, including unlimited customizable and e-signable rental documents, significant discounts on Pro Services, and ongoing support for your rental property business.
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How long does it take to complete the Massachusetts eviction process from beginning to end?
The duration of the eviction process for Massachusetts tenants will usually depend on the notice period required, as well as the lawsuit period if you proceed with one.
Below, you'll find a basic explanation of Massachusetts notice periods to get you started:
- Rent-related: 14-day notice.
- Non-compliance with terms: No notice is required by law.
- No direct fault: 30-day notice.
If the tenant decides to leave before the notice period ends - which is common - the process actually becomes a lot shorter.
If that doesn’t happen, when your notice period is over, the actual eviction may take anywhere from 1 to 3 months. Please note that with certain kinds of housing, for instance where rent is subsidized, the mandated notice period is often even longer.
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What are my next steps after I have made an Eviction Notice/Notice to Quit in Massachusetts?
After making a Massachusetts Eviction Notice, the next step is to serve it. You may read more about the eviction process in Massachusetts and everything that follows here.
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What happens after the given notice period is over in Massachusetts?
If a tenant does not pay rent after being given a notice, the landlord can choose to file an eviction lawsuit, also known as a Summary Process.
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