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Massachusetts 14-Day Notice to Quit | Non-Payment

Massachusetts 14-day notice to pay or quit is a document served on a tenant who fails to pay rent on time. After receiving the notice, the tenant has 14 days to either pay the rent owing or face an eviction proceeding.
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Laws

  • Notice Period: Fourteen days.[1]
  • Rent Grace Period: None.[2]
  • Maximum Late Fee: No statute.

Delivery Options

State law requires landlords to obtain proof that the notice was delivered.

The notice should be accompanied by copies of agreements between the landlord and tenant, information on rental assistance programs, and applicable court rules.

The notice must also include this language: “THIS NOTICE TO QUIT IS NOT AN EVICTION. YOU DO NOT NEED TO IMMEDIATELY LEAVE YOUR UNIT. YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A LEGAL PROCEEDING IN WHICH YOU CAN DEFEND AGAINST THE EVICTION. ONLY A COURT ORDER CAN FORCE YOU TO LEAVE YOUR UNIT.”[3]

Waiver of Landlord’s Right to Terminate

State law does not address whether a landlord waives the right to terminate a lease by accepting partial rent. However, courts can and do rule that acceptance of a portion of a rent payment voids an eviction proceeding.

Sample

Download: PDF