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Early Lease Termination Laws in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, a tenant can end a lease with written notice within 3 months of the most recent act of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or stalking (or when reasonably in fear of imminent serious physical harm), and must move out within 3 months of the notice.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Massachusetts at a glance

Domestic violence victims
Yes, notice within 3 months of the act
The tenant must leave within 3 months of the notice. Rent liability beyond the move-out date is discharged as of 30 days or 1 full rental period after moving out, whichever is later.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Massachusetts

Can domestic violence or sexual assault victims end a lease early in Massachusetts?

Yes, notice within 3 months of the act. Domestic violence victims in Massachusetts: yes, notice within 3 months of the act. The tenant must leave within 3 months of the notice. Rent liability beyond the move-out date is discharged as of 30 days or 1 full rental period after moving out, whichever is later.

Where do the Massachusetts early lease termination laws come from?

The rules above come from Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, 24. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The owner may ask for proof such as a protective order, a court or police record, or written verification from a qualified third party.

What this means in practice

Read the lease first. Many leases contain an early termination clause, a buyout fee or a sublease option that may be easier to use than a statutory right. A statutory right usually applies even if the lease says nothing about it, and a lease generally cannot waive it.

Statutory early termination rights usually come with conditions. Common ones are written notice to the landlord, a minimum notice period, and proof such as a protective order, police report, military orders or a doctor's statement. Keep copies of everything you send and note the date and method of delivery.

If you leave without a statutory right, you may still owe rent until the unit is re-rented or the lease ends. Where a landlord has a duty to mitigate, it must make reasonable efforts to find a new tenant, and the amount you owe is reduced by rent the landlord collects or reasonably could have collected. Returning keys and documenting the condition of the unit can help limit disputes.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.