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How much notice does a landlord have to give a tenant to move out in Massachusetts?
Short answer
Notice to end (or change terms of) a tenancy at will: rental period or 30 days, whichever is longer
Notice: At least one full rental period or 30 days before the tenancy ends, whichever is longer (dated 31 days ahead to cover a full monthly rent period; three months' notice if rent is paid less often than every three months)
To end a tenancy at will, give written notice equal to the interval between rent days or 30 days, whichever is longer. The notice may include an offer of a new tenancy on different terms (e.g., higher rent).
"if the rent reserved is payable at periods of less than three months, the time of such notice shall be sufficient if it is equal to the interval between the days of payment or thirty days, whichever is longer." malegislature.gov
"Such written notice may include an offer to establish a new tenancy for the same premises on terms different from that of the tenancy being terminated" malegislature.gov
Notice to end (or change terms of) a tenancy at will: rental period or 30 days, whichever is longer Verified
Deadline: At least one full rental period or 30 days before the tenancy ends, whichever is longer (dated 31 days ahead to cover a full monthly rent period; three months' notice if rent is paid less often than every three months)
To end a tenancy at will, give written notice equal to the interval between rent days or 30 days, whichever is longer. The notice may include an offer of a new tenancy on different terms (e.g., higher rent).
Who it covers: Tenancies at will (month-to-month). Fixed-term leases follow lease terms.
"if the rent reserved is payable at periods of less than three months, the time of such notice shall be sufficient if it is equal to the interval between the days of payment or thirty days, whichever is longer." malegislature.gov
"Such written notice may include an offer to establish a new tenancy for the same premises on terms different from that of the tenancy being terminated" malegislature.gov
Notes: M.G.L. c.186 §12. In practice notice should end on a rent day; that case-law point is not captured here. Must be at least one full rental period (interval between rent days) or 30 days, whichever is longer; three months if rent is paid less often.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction