Laws and Regulations for Massachusetts Property Owners

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Your responsibilities as a property owner or manager don’t stop at maintaining your property—they also include adhering to Massachusetts laws designed to protect tenants and landlords alike. Below, you’ll find summaries of key laws and regulations, along with links to the full resources. 

These laws ensure every renter is treated fairly and equally, prohibiting discrimination based on race, gender, disability, and other protected characteristics.

Link: Mass Fair Housing Laws

Landlord Responsibilities

• Provide a safe and habitable apartment that complies with the Massachusetts Sanitary Code.
• Ensure major repairs and appliances are functioning properly.
• Clear snow and ice from the property as required by law.
• Return security deposits and interest within 30 days of tenancy termination (less any documented deductions).

Tenant Responsibilities

• Pay rent on time and abide by lease terms.
• Accept responsibility for damages beyond normal wear and tear.
• Notify the landlord of maintenance issues or code violations.

Payments at the Start of Tenancy

Landlords may only request:

• First month’s rent.
• Last month’s rent.
• A security deposit less than or equal to one month’s rent.
• A fee for a new lock and key.

Security Deposit Regulations

• Must be held in a Massachusetts bank account with interest.
• A "statement of condition" must be provided within 10 days of move-in.
• Landlords must return the deposit with interest within 30 days of move-out, deducting only for unpaid rent or documented damages.

Eviction Process

• Landlords cannot evict tenants without a court order.
• Proper notice (14 or 30 days) must be given based on the reason for eviction.
• Evictions are carried out through a legal process.
• Discrimination or retaliation during eviction is prohibited by law.

Link: Attorney General’s Guide to Landlord/Tenant Laws Rights

Link: The Full Guide on Massachusetts Landlord Tenant Laws