Massachusetts Statewide Rule
Massachusetts Landlord Entry Rules (M.G.L. c. 186 § 15B(1)(a))
Key Facts
- Advance-notice statute?
- No statutory requirement (no fixed hours)
- Permitted lease entry reasons
- Inspect, repair, show unit, court order, apparent abandonment
- Quiet-enjoyment backstop
- M.G.L. c. 186 § 14
- Statute
- M.G.L. c. 186 § 15B(1)(a)
Summary
Massachusetts has no general statute requiring advance notice before a landlord enters. M.G.L. c. 186 § 15B(1)(a) instead limits when a lease may permit entry, to inspect, make repairs, show the unit, after a court order, or if the unit appears abandoned, but sets no fixed notice period like 24 or 48 hours.
(1) (a) No lease relating to residential real property shall contain a provision that a lessor may, except to inspect the premises, to make repairs thereto or to show the same to a prospective tenant, purchaser, mortgagee or its agents, enter the premises before the termination date of such lease. A lessor may, however, enter such premises: (i) in accordance with a court order; (ii) if the premises appear to have been abandoned by the lessee; or (iii) to inspect, within the last thirty days of the tenancy or after either party has given notice to the other of intention to terminate the tenancy, the premises for the purpose of determining the amount of damage, if any, to the premises which would be cause for deduction from any security deposit held by the lessor pursuant to this section.
Full Breakdown
Massachusetts does not have a statewide statute setting a specific advance-notice requirement (such as 24 hours) for landlord entry. The closest provision, M.G.L. c. 186 § 15B(1)(a), governs what a lease or rental agreement may allow: a landlord may enter to inspect the premises, make repairs, show the unit to prospective tenants, purchasers, mortgagees, or their agents, in accordance with a court order, if the premises appear to have been abandoned, or to inspect within the last 30 days of the tenancy or after notice of termination to determine damages. The statute does not prescribe a notice period or hours of entry. In practice, entry must also respect the tenant's right to quiet enjoyment under c. 186 § 14.
Violations & Penalties
No specific entry-notice penalty in § 15B(1)(a). Entry that interferes with a tenant's quiet enjoyment may expose a landlord to liability under M.G.L. c. 186 § 14 (up to three months' rent or actual damages, plus costs and attorney's fees).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Massachusetts landlord have to give 24 hours' notice before entering?
When can a Massachusetts landlord legally enter my apartment?
Sources
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