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Rent Increase Notice Laws in Massachusetts

We found no Massachusetts statute aimed at rent increases; a landlord changes rent for a tenant at will with a written notice that ends the tenancy, at least one rental period or 30 days, whichever is longer.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Massachusetts at a glance

Notice for month-to-month increase
No specific statute; 30 days or 1 period to end tenancy
The termination notice may include an offer of a new tenancy on different terms, such as a higher rent.
Longer notice rule
No longer notice rule
No statute sets a longer notice period for larger increases or longer tenancies.
Statewide rent increase cap
No statewide cap
State law (G.L. c. 40P) bars cities and towns from enacting rent control, with narrow exceptions.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Massachusetts

How much notice must a landlord give before raising rent on a month-to-month tenancy in Massachusetts?

Notice for month-to-month increase in Massachusetts: No specific statute; 30 days or 1 period to end tenancy. The termination notice may include an offer of a new tenancy on different terms, such as a higher rent.

Does Massachusetts require longer notice for large rent increases or long tenancies?

Longer notice rule in Massachusetts: No longer notice rule. No statute sets a longer notice period for larger increases or longer tenancies.

Does Massachusetts limit how much a landlord can raise the rent?

No statewide cap. Statewide rent increase cap in Massachusetts: no statewide cap. State law (G.L. c. 40P) bars cities and towns from enacting rent control, with narrow exceptions.

Where do the Massachusetts rent increase notice laws come from?

The rules above come from Mass. Gen. Laws c. 186, 12 and Mass. Gen. Laws c. 40P, 4. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Put the rent increase in writing, state the new amount and the date it takes effect, and keep a copy along with proof of how and when it was delivered. Count the notice period from the date the tenant actually receives the notice, and check whether your state adds extra days for mailed notices.

Check local law as well as state law. Some cities and counties have rent stabilization ordinances, registration rules, or longer notice periods, and subsidized or rent-regulated units often follow separate federal or program rules.

A rent increase cannot be used to retaliate against a tenant for making a repair request or complaint, or to discriminate against a protected group. If the timing of an increase could look retaliatory, document the business reason for it.

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