To end a tenancy at will (month-to-month), Massachusetts requires written notice equal to one full rental period or 30 days, whichever is longer, under M.G.L. c. 186 § 12. Fixed-term leases generally end on their stated expiration date without separate notice unless the lease says otherwise.
Under M.G.L. c. 186 § 12, a tenancy at will may be terminated by written notice. 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." For a typical month-to-month tenancy, that means at least 30 days' (or one full rental period's) written notice, given by either landlord or tenant. The statute also allows the notice to include an offer of a new tenancy on different terms without invalidating it. A fixed-term lease ordinarily ends on its own expiration date; if the tenant stays on with the landlord's consent, a tenancy at will is created and § 12 notice rules then apply.
No specific statutory penalty; a termination notice that does not meet the § 12 interval (one rental period or 30 days, whichever is longer) is defective and will not support a no-fault eviction.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Brookline, MA
Brookline's General By-Laws and nuisance control provisions prohibit animals from creating persistent noise disturbances. Animal Control handles complaints a...
Brookline, MA
Brookline's Article 8.15 restricts construction noise activities on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays to hours before 8:00 PM. Weekday construction hour limit...
Brookline, MA
Brookline regulates noise under General By-Laws Article 8.15 (Noise Control). The bylaw prohibits Noise Pollution, defined as sound exceeding the Background ...
Brookline, MA
Brookline prohibits parking for more than 2 hours on streets between 6 AM and 1 AM (Sunday/holiday exempt). Overnight parking of more than 1 hour is prohibit...
Brookline, MA
Brookline issues commercial parking permits for $600/year allowing parking on designated residential side streets within 1/4 mile of a commercial district. T...
Brookline, MA
Brookline residents may use private driveways for personal vehicles. The overnight street parking ban applies to those without off-street parking. Blocking a...
See how Brookline's lease termination & notice to vacate rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.