Massachusetts strictly limits late fees. Under M.G.L. c. 186 § 15B(1)(c), no lease or rental agreement may impose any interest or penalty for late rent until the rent is at least 30 days overdue. A late fee charged before that 30-day mark is unlawful.
M.G.L. c. 186 § 15B(1)(c) provides that "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." This means a Massachusetts landlord cannot charge a late fee, penalty, or interest the moment rent is a few days late — the rent must be at least 30 days overdue before any such charge can be imposed. The statute does not set a maximum dollar amount or percentage for the late fee itself; its core restriction is the 30-day waiting period. A lease clause purporting to charge a late fee sooner is contrary to the statute and unenforceable.
No fixed statutory fine; a late fee or interest charged before rent is 30 days overdue violates § 15B(1)(c) and is unenforceable, and the tenant may contest or recover an improperly collected charge.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford regulates noise through its general ordinance provisions and MassDEP 310 CMR 7.10. Habitual barking or noise that disturbs a neighborhood is decl...
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford declares habitual barking dogs a public nuisance under the city ordinance. The keeping of any dog which by habitual howling, yelping, barking or ...
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford regulates construction noise under its general ordinance provisions. Construction activities that create excessive noise and disturb the neighbor...
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford enforces snow emergency parking bans during winter storms under Chapter 23 of the Code of Ordinances. During a snow ban, parking is allowed on th...
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford restricts heavy traffic and commercial vehicle parking in designated zones under §23-23 of the Code of Ordinances. Commercial vehicles must compl...
New Bedford, MA
New Bedford's zoning ordinance Chapter 9 regulates off-street parking and driveways. Parking in front of public or private driveways is prohibited. Off-stree...
See how New Bedford's late fees & grace periods rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.