Massachusetts Eviction Notice Template [Free Download]

Free Download 6 min read Updated August 15, 2026

Heads up: These guides and templates come from real-world experience, not legal advice. Laws vary by state and change often, so check your local rules or a qualified professional before relying on anything here.

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> Important: this is a general template, not legal advice. A eviction notice is strictly regulated in Massachusetts; the wrong form, period, or service method can delay or void your case. It reflects Massachusetts law researched as of July 31, 2026. Confirm local rules and have it reviewed by an attorney licensed in Massachusetts before serving.

This page offers a free, editable Massachusetts eviction notice template reflecting Massachusetts law researched as of July 31, 2026. Massachusetts eviction notices are strictly regulated under state statute, and local rules or lease terms may also apply. Confirm the correct notice type and procedure with an attorney licensed in Massachusetts before serving any notice.

Types of Eviction Notice in Massachusetts

Massachusetts law recognizes several distinct notice types. The correct notice depends on the reason for termination and the type of tenancy.

– 14-Day Notice to Quit for Nonpayment of Rent (Pay or Quit). A landlord must give a tenant at least 14 days to pay rent before filing for summary process. This requirement applies to both written leases under M.G.L. c.186 sec. 11 and tenancies at will under M.G.L. c.186 sec. 12. The 14-day period is the statutory minimum for nonpayment in both tenancy types.

– Notice to Cure a Lease Violation (Perform or Quit). Massachusetts does not set a separate statutory cure period for non-rent violations of a written lease. The cure period and procedure follow the written lease’s own terms. Review the lease carefully to determine the required notice period and any right to cure before serving this type of notice.

– Unconditional Notice to Quit (Incurable or No-Fault Termination). For a no-fault termination of a tenancy at will, M.G.L. c.186 sec. 12 requires a notice period equal to the rental interval or 30 days, whichever is longer. Massachusetts does not set a separate statutory notice period for a for-cause termination of a tenancy at will beyond the 14-day nonpayment notice. A 7-day for-cause notice sometimes used in practice derives from the written lease rather than from statute, so that day count must be verified against the specific lease before relying on it.

How to Serve an Eviction Notice in Massachusetts

Massachusetts law under M.G.L. c.186 sec. 11 and M.G.L. c.186 sec. 12 requires an eviction notice to be in writing. The statutes do not prescribe a single required delivery method for the notice to quit itself.

The notice period runs from the date the tenant actually receives the notice. Because of this, a landlord must be able to demonstrate that the tenant received it.

Constable or sheriff service is commonly used in practice because it provides reliable proof of receipt. It is not, however, statutorily required for the notice to quit itself.

The later summary-process summons is a separate document served through the court and follows its own procedural rules.

What Is Included in This Template

The downloadable template includes editable fields for:

Landlord name and mailing address
Tenant name and rental property address
Type of notice and statutory basis
Amount of rent owed, if applicable
The notice period and the deadline date
A description of the lease violation or reason for termination, if applicable
Signature line, printed name, and date

How to Use It

1. Identify the correct notice type. Determine whether the situation involves nonpayment of rent, a lease violation, or a no-fault termination. Confirm which statute governs the tenancy. Consult an attorney licensed in Massachusetts if there is any uncertainty.

2. Complete all fields accurately. Enter the tenant’s full legal name, the property address, the specific reason for the notice, and the applicable statutory notice period. Double-check every date and dollar amount before printing.

3. Calculate the deadline carefully. The notice period begins running from the date the tenant actually receives the notice, not the date the landlord prepares it. Count forward the required number of days from the anticipated receipt date to set the correct deadline.

4. Serve the notice and document delivery. Deliver the written notice in a manner that allows proof of receipt. Retain any documentation of service, such as a constable’s return of service, a signed acknowledgment, or certified mail tracking confirmation.

5. Do not file for summary process until the notice period has expired. Filing before the statutory period has run can result in dismissal. Review M.G.L. c.186 sec. 11 or M.G.L. c.186 sec. 12 as applicable, and confirm next steps with a Massachusetts attorney.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days notice is required to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent in Massachusetts?

Both M.G.L. c.186 sec. 11 (written lease) and M.G.L. c.186 sec. 12 (tenancy at will) require a minimum of 14 days notice to quit before a landlord may file for summary process based on nonpayment of rent.

Can a tenant stop the eviction by paying rent after receiving a notice to quit?

A tenant at will who has not received a similar notice in the prior 12 months may void a 14-day notice to quit for nonpayment by paying the full amount of rent due within 10 days of receiving it, under M.G.L. c.186 sec. 12. A tenant under a written lease may cure by paying all rent then due, along with interest and costs, on or before the day the answer is due in court, under M.G.L. c.186 sec. 11.

Does Massachusetts require a specific delivery method for a notice to quit?

M.G.L. c.186 sec. 11 and M.G.L. c.186 sec. 12 require the notice to quit to be in writing but do not mandate a single delivery method. The landlord must be able to prove the tenant actually received the notice, because the notice period runs from the date of receipt. Constable or sheriff service is a commonly used method for establishing proof of delivery.

What notice is required to end a month-to-month tenancy at will in Massachusetts without cause?

Under M.G.L. c.186 sec. 12, a landlord must give notice equal to the rental interval or 30 days, whichever period is longer, to terminate a tenancy at will without cause. For a monthly tenancy, the notice period is therefore at least 30 days.

Is a 7-day notice to quit valid in Massachusetts?

A 7-day notice for a for-cause termination is not established by Massachusetts statute. It may appear in a written lease, and its validity depends entirely on the specific language of that lease. The day count must be verified against the written lease before relying on it.

Can a landlord file for summary process immediately after the notice period expires?

The notice to quit is a prerequisite to filing for summary process, but the summary-process summons is a separate document issued through the court. A landlord may not file before the notice period has fully run. The specific filing steps and timing requirements are set by court procedure, and consulting an attorney licensed in Massachusetts is strongly recommended before proceeding.

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Eviction notice templates in other states

Or browse eviction notice templates for all 50 states and D.C..

Massachusetts sources and statutes

M.G.L. c.186 sec. 11 (malegislature.gov): https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleI/Chapter186/Section11
M.G.L. c.186 sec. 12 (malegislature.gov): https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartII/TitleI/Chapter186/Section12
M.G.L. c.40P sec. 4 (rent-control prohibition): https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter40P/Section4

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