For nonpayment of rent, Massachusetts requires a 14-day notice to quit under M.G.L. c. 186 § 11 (leases) or § 12 (tenancies at will). After the notice expires, the landlord must bring a summary process (eviction) case in court under c. 239 — self-help eviction is illegal.
Massachusetts requires a written notice to quit before eviction. For nonpayment of rent, M.G.L. c. 186 § 11 (leases) and § 12 (tenancies at will) both provide that "fourteen days' notice to quit" in writing is sufficient to terminate the tenancy. Tenants generally have a right to cure: under § 11, paying "all rent then due, with interest and costs of suit" before the answer is due preserves the tenancy; under § 12, a tenant at will who received no similar notice in the prior 12 months may pay the full rent due within 10 days of receipt. After the notice period, the landlord files a summary process action under M.G.L. c. 239 § 1 to recover possession; only a court-issued execution, served by a sheriff or constable, can lawfully remove a tenant.
Self-help eviction (lockouts, utility shutoffs, removing belongings) is illegal and exposes the landlord to liability, including treble damages or up to three months' rent plus costs and attorney's fees under M.G.L. c. 186 § 14.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-4C(1)-(4) declares unlawful any unnecessary motor noise (backfiring, racing, tire-screeching), improper horn/signaling-device use, di...
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-3 sets a full district-by-time dBA table (residential 40-50 dB(A), industrial up to 70 dB(A) daytime), measured at the property bound...
Lowell, MA
Lowell restricts gas-powered leaf blower use to daytime hours; no outright ban exists, but decibel and hour limits apply under the general noise ordinance.
Lowell, MA
Outdoor music at restaurants, breweries, and event venues in Lowell requires an entertainment license and must end by 10 p.m. in residential zones.
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Chapter 204, Section 204-3 sets district-based dBA limits keyed to time of day. In single- and two-family residential districts the limit drops t...
Lowell, MA
Lowell Code Section 204-4C(12) makes it unlawful to operate any radio, stereo, loudspeaker, instrument or other sound-reproducing device so as to disturb a r...
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