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Massachusetts notice to vacate

How much notice a tenant and a landlord must give to end a month-to-month tenancy in Massachusetts, and the statute that controls — verified July 2026.

Best-effort summary, verified July 2026. Notice rules change, and many cities add stricter just-cause or longer-notice ordinances a summary can't capture. Confirm with the linked source or a licensed attorney. This is not legal advice.
Tenant's notice
The interval between rent days, or 30 days, whichever is longer
Landlord's notice
Same formula

Ending a month-to-month tenancy in Massachusetts

Tenant: The interval between rent days, or 30 days, whichever is longer; ends on a rent-due day.

Landlord: Same formula — interval between rent days or 30 days, whichever is longer; no cause; no statewide just-cause. For monthly rent this is effectively a full rental period (~30 days ending on a rent-due day); some cities add protections.

Compare with other states

See every state in the notice to vacate laws by state directory, or check the related security deposit and late fee guides.

Frequently asked questions

How much notice must a tenant give to end a month-to-month lease in Massachusetts?

The interval between rent days, or 30 days, whichever is longer; ends on a rent-due day. Give it in writing and keep proof of delivery. Verified July 2026 against Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 12.

How much notice must a landlord give to end a month-to-month tenancy in Massachusetts?

Same formula — interval between rent days or 30 days, whichever is longer; no cause; no statewide just-cause. For monthly rent this is effectively a full rental period (~30 days ending on a rent-due day); some cities add protections.

Can a landlord end a month-to-month tenancy without cause in Massachusetts?

Generally yes, with proper notice: Same formula — interval between rent days or 30 days, whichever is longer; no cause; no statewide just-cause Confirm with Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 12 and any local ordinance.

What statute governs notice to vacate in Massachusetts?

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 12. The source text is at https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleI/Chapter186/Section12.

Is this legal advice?

No. This is a best-effort summary compiled from a cited source and verified July 2026. Notice rules change and many cities add stricter just-cause or longer-notice ordinances a summary can't capture. Confirm with the current statute or a licensed attorney before relying on it.

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Notice to vacate law in every state

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

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