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    Massachusetts Landlord Entry Notice Law

    Massachusetts sets no fixed number of hours; the statute requires no statutory notice period. A lease may permit entry only to inspect, repair or show the unit to a prospective tenant, buyer or mortgagee; the landlord may also enter under court order, if the unit appears abandoned, or in the last 30 days of the tenancy to inspect for deposit damage.

    Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed

    Massachusetts landlord entry notice rules at a glance

    Notice before entryNo statutory notice period. A lease may permit entry only to inspect, repair or show the unit to a prospective tenant, buyer or mortgagee; the landlord may also enter under court order, if the unit appears abandoned, or in the last 30 days of the tenancy to inspect for deposit damageM.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(a)

    What Massachusetts law says

    How much notice must a Massachusetts landlord give before entering a rental?

    Massachusetts sets no notice period for entry but restricts its purposes: a lease may allow entry only to inspect, make repairs or show the unit, plus entry under court order, after apparent abandonment, or to assess deposit damage in the last 30 days of the tenancy (M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(a)).

    How Massachusetts compares

    28 of 51 verified jurisdictions set a fixed number of hours.

    Connecticut and New Hampshire follow the same rule as Massachusetts; 3 of its 5 neighbors differ.

    Notice before entryStates
    No fixed number of hoursMassachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire
    No statewide ruleNew York
    48 hoursRhode Island, Vermont

    Other Massachusetts rules

    Security deposit limit1 month's rentM.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(b), (d)
    Deposit return deadline30 days after move-outM.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(4), (6)(e)
    Late-fee capNo state capM.G.L. c. 186, § 15B(1)(c) (timing only; no amount cap)
    Rent-increase noticeNo state ruleM.G.L. c. 186, § 12
    Notice for unpaid rent14 days (14-day notice to quit for nonpayment of rent)M.G.L. c. 186, § 11, M.G.L. c. 186, § 12
    Month-to-month termination30 days (either side)M.G.L. c. 186, § 12

    Read the Massachusetts law

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