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Last verified: · Confidence: high
When is heat season in Massachusetts, and what must landlords provide?
Short answer
Heat season September 15 - May 31: 68°F 7 a.m.-11 p.m., 64°F overnight, never above 78°F
Season: Every year from September 15 through May 31
From September 15 through May 31, heat every habitable room and every bathroom to at least 68°F from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and 64°F from 11:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m.; the heating system may not push any room above 78°F. Check your city or town website for a local change to the season.
"The owner shall provide heat in every habitable room and every room containing a toilet, shower, or bathtub from September 15th through May 31st so that it shall be:" mass.gov
"At least 68 ... between 7:00 A.M. and 11:00 P.M.; and" mass.gov
"At least 64 ... between 11:01 P.M. and 6:59 A.M." mass.gov
Heat season September 15 - May 31: 68°F 7 a.m.-11 p.m., 64°F overnight, never above 78°F Verified
Deadline: Every year from September 15 through May 31
From September 15 through May 31, heat every habitable room and every bathroom to at least 68°F from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and 64°F from 11:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m.; the heating system may not push any room above 78°F. Check your city or town website for a local change to the season.
Who it covers: State Sanitary Code 105 CMR 410.180. A local board of health may end the season no earlier than May 15 or start it no later than September 30 for its town by posting notice on the municipal website.
"The owner shall provide heat in every habitable room and every room containing a toilet, shower, or bathtub from September 15th through May 31st so that it shall be:" mass.gov
"At least 68 ... between 7:00 A.M. and 11:00 P.M.; and" mass.gov
"At least 64 ... between 11:01 P.M. and 6:59 A.M." mass.gov
"At no time shall the heating system, ... used during the heating season cause the temperature to exceed 78" mass.gov
"A board of health may alter the heating season, as defined in 105 CMR 410.180(A), by ending it no earlier than May 15th or delaying the start date no later than September 30th in a particular year for all residences within its jurisdiction," mass.gov
Notes: 105 CMR 410.180 (current State Sanitary Code; the PDF renders the degree sign as a private-use glyph, so the temperature quotes skip it). The DPH guidance page on mass.gov still describes the older 410.201 season of September 15 - June 15; the regulation text governs.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction