Mass. Gen. Laws Chapter 186
Free Massachusetts residential lease template.
Massachusetts caps security deposits at one (1) month rent (Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 186 § 15B). The deposit must be held in a separate interest-bearing account at a Massachusetts bank, with annual interest (5% or actual rate) payable to the tenant. Notice for nonpayment is 14 days. MA is one of the most tenant-friendly states with strong statutory protections.
Template information updated September 2026.
Download blank Massachusetts lease (PDF or Word)
Free download. 5 statute citations and 3 state-specific disclosures included. Email is required for access; marketing consent is optional.
What is in this Massachusetts template
The template is organized around the state statutes summarized below and identifies state-specific disclosures such as Federal lead-paint disclosure (pre-1978) and Tenant Lead Law Notification (mandatory in MA). Some notices use prescribed statutory wording and should not be removed without checking the cited law.
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 186 § 15B
Security deposit cap
Capped at 1× monthly rent. Held in separate MA bank account.
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 186 § 15B(3)(b)
Deposit interest
5% annual interest (or actual) payable to tenant.
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 186 § 15B(4)
Deposit return
30 days from move-out with itemized list.
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 186 § 11
Eviction notice (nonpayment)
14 days notice to quit.
Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 186 § 12
Notice to terminate (m2m)
30 days written notice.
Required disclosures in Massachusetts
- ·Federal lead-paint disclosure (pre-1978)
- ·Tenant Lead Law Notification (mandatory in MA)
- ·Statement of condition (required at lease signing)
Quick reference for Massachusetts landlords
| Security deposit cap | 1× |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 30 days from move-out |
| Notice before entry | No statutory minimum — courts require "reasonable notice" |
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The Massachusetts template above uses the same document foundation as our $49 generator. The paid service fills the agreement with your property and party information, checks form completeness and applicable deposit limits, organizes your custom Additional Provisions, provides a polished preview before payment, and includes a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Start the $49 generator →Questions about the free Massachusetts lease template
Is the template really free?
Yes. An email address is required to access the download, but creating an account and joining marketing emails are not required.
Can I edit it in Microsoft Word?
Yes. Choose DOCX for an editable file that opens in Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages, or LibreOffice. Choose PDF for printing or signing as-is.
Does it cover local city rules?
It covers the statewide foundation described on this page. Cities and counties may impose additional rent-control, disclosure, licensing, or eviction requirements, so check the rules where the property is located.
LeaseDrafts is a document generator, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice. This template is based on the Massachusetts landlord-tenant code as of the date shown on the document. Always review the final lease with a licensed Massachusetts attorney before using it.