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Last verified: 2026-10-24 · Confidence: high

How much notice does a landlord have to give for unpaid rent in Massachusetts?

Short answer

Unpaid rent: a written 14-day notice to quit

Notice: A written notice to quit for nonpayment gives at least 14 days

When rent is unpaid, a written fourteen-day notice to quit from the landlord is enough to end the lease or tenancy at will. Tenants have statutory rights to cure by paying what is owed in some cases.

"fourteen days' notice to quit, given in writing by the landlord to the tenant, shall be sufficient to determine the lease"
malegislature.gov

Source: malegislature.gov · Last verified 2026-10-24 · Confidence: high · Full rule details

Massachusetts rules on this topic

Unpaid rent: a written 14-day notice to quit Verified

Deadline: A written notice to quit for nonpayment gives at least 14 days

When rent is unpaid, a written fourteen-day notice to quit from the landlord is enough to end the lease or tenancy at will. Tenants have statutory rights to cure by paying what is owed in some cases.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Massachusetts · Topic: Notice for unpaid rent

"fourteen days' notice to quit, given in writing by the landlord to the tenant, shall be sufficient to determine the lease"
malegislature.gov

Notes: M.G.L. c. 186, s. 11 (leases) and s. 12 (tenancies at will).

Last verified 2026-10-24 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

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