Massachusetts Residential Lease Agreement

A complete, state-specific lease for a house, apartment or condo with every disclosure your state requires.

Free to fill & preview · $19 for the clean PDF + Word

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Massachusetts rules that this document follows

Security deposit limit1 month' rentSource: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(1)(b)
Deposit return deadline30 days after move-outSource: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(4)
Interest on depositRequired (see conditions)Source: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(3)(b) (5% or bank rate, paid annually; separate MA account)
Late feesNo cap; no late fee or interest may be charged until rent is 30 days lateSource: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(1)(c)
Landlord entry noticeNo statutory minimum (lease governs; reasonable notice)Source: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(1)(a) (reasonable notice; no set hours)
Notice to end month-to-monthLandlord 30 days / Tenant 30 daysSource: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 12 (30 days or one rental period, whichever longer)
Required disclosuresLead-Based Paint (pre-1978); Tenant Lead Law Notification; Security Deposit Receipt; Statement of Condition; Deposit Bank Statement; Fire Insurance DisclosureSource: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 186 (Estates for Years and at Will); Chapter 239 (Summary Process)

Rules current as of 2026-09-07. Statutes change; verify before relying on them.

How to use this Residential Lease Agreement in Massachusetts

A residential lease in Massachusetts should identify every adult tenant, describe the premises, state the term, the rent and how it is paid, the security deposit and how it will be returned, who pays which utilities, the rules on pets, smoking and subletting, and the disclosures Massachusetts law requires. This generator walks you through each of those items in order and drafts the clauses for you.

Before you start, gather: the legal names and mailing addresses of the landlord and all tenants, the property address, the move-in date, the rent amount and due day, the deposit amount and the bank where it will be held (some states require this), and whether the building was built before 1978 (federal lead-paint rule).

After you preview the document, download the PDF, have every adult tenant and the landlord sign (electronic signatures are valid), give each party a copy, and complete a move-in inspection checklist with photos. Keep the signed lease for at least four years after the tenancy ends.

Frequently asked questions

How much security deposit can a landlord charge in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts caps the security deposit at 1 month' rent (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(1)(b)). The generator warns you if you enter more.

When must the deposit be returned in Massachusetts?

Within 30 days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of deductions (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(4)).

Does this lease include the disclosures Massachusetts requires?

Yes. Section 14 inserts every statutory disclosure for Massachusetts (6 items, including the federal lead-paint notice for pre-1978 buildings) with its citation.

Is this lease legally binding once signed?

A written lease signed by landlord and all adult tenants is an enforceable contract in Massachusetts. Electronic signatures are valid under the federal ESIGN Act and the state UETA. No notarization is required for a residential lease.

Can I use this for a month-to-month rental?

Yes — choose 'Month-to-month' in the Term step. The notice period is set to Massachusetts's statutory minimum.

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FormsByState provides self-help document templates and general information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm. For advice about your situation consult a licensed attorney in your state.