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

When can a landlord charge a late fee for rent in Massachusetts, and how much?

Short answer

Late fees: no interest or penalty for late rent until 30 days after it was due

When: No interest or penalty for late rent until 30 days after the due date

A lease or rental agreement may not impose any interest or penalty for failure to pay rent until thirty days after the rent was due.

"No lease or other rental agreement shall impose any interest or penalty for failure to pay rent until thirty days after such rent shall have been due."
malegislature.gov

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

Massachusetts rules on this topic

Late fees: no interest or penalty for late rent until 30 days after it was due Verified

Deadline: No interest or penalty for late rent until 30 days after the due date

A lease or rental agreement may not impose any interest or penalty for failure to pay rent until thirty days after the rent was due.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Massachusetts · Topic: Late fees and grace periods

"No lease or other rental agreement shall impose any interest or penalty for failure to pay rent until thirty days after such rent shall have been due."
malegislature.gov

Notes: M.G.L. c. 186, s. 15B(1)(c).

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

Same topic in other places

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