Massachusetts Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (14-Day)
Create a free Massachusetts notice to pay rent or quit. Massachusetts requires a 14-day notice to pay rent or quit. Fill in the details, preview it live, and download a PDF or email it.
Massachusetts requirement
Massachusetts requires a 14-day notice to pay rent or quit. 14-day notice to quit for nonpayment — same period for both written-lease tenants (M.G.L. c.186 §11) and tenants at will (§12). Statutory cure right: a tenant at will who has NOT received a similar nonpayment notice in the prior 12 months can stop the eviction by paying all rent due within 10 days of receiving the notice, and the §12 notice must contain the verbatim statutory language informing the tenant of this 10-day right. A written-lease tenant (§11) can cure by paying all rent, interest, and costs on or before the day the answer is due in the summary-process action. Calendar days.
Tenant Name(s)
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⚠ Massachusetts requires a 14-day notice for a notice to pay rent or quit; the count runs from the date of SERVICE, and some states exclude weekends/holidays — verify before relying on a date. 14-day notice to quit for nonpayment — same period for both written-lease tenants (M.G.L. c.186 §11) and tenants at will (§12). Statutory cure right: a tenant at will who has NOT received a similar nonpayment notice in the prior 12 months can stop the eviction by paying all rent due within 10 days of receiving the notice, and the §12 notice must contain the verbatim statutory language informing the tenant of this 10-day right. A written-lease tenant (§11) can cure by paying all rent, interest, and costs on or before the day the answer is due in the summary-process action. Calendar days.
Notice to Pay Rent or Quit (Massachusetts)
NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
Date of Notice: ________________
From (Landlord/Agent): [LANDLORD/AGENT NAME], [LANDLORD ADDRESS]
To: [TENANT NAME(S)], Tenant(s) in possession of: [PROPERTY ADDRESS]
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that rent is now due and unpaid in the amount of $________. This amount is for unpaid RENT only and excludes late fees, utilities, and other charges unless your state and lease allow them.
You are required to PAY the full amount of rent due within 14 days after this notice is served on you, OR to vacate and surrender possession of the property. Payment must be made to [LANDLORD/AGENT NAME] at [LANDLORD ADDRESS], by cash, check, or money order. If you mail payment, it must be RECEIVED by the deadline.
If you do not comply with this notice within the time stated, the landlord may begin legal proceedings to recover possession of the property under M.G.L. c.186 §§ 11, 12 (notice to quit); summary process under M.G.L. c.239.
Only a court can order you to move out. The landlord may NOT lock you out, remove your belongings, or shut off your utilities; doing so is illegal.
This notice is given without waiving, and the landlord expressly reserves, all other rights and remedies, including the right to recover unpaid rent and damages.
How this notice may be served: A notice to quit may be served by a constable or sheriff (often by leaving it at the tenant's last and usual address) or sent by the landlord, including by first-class/certified mail; many landlords use in-hand or constable service to ensure proof. After the notice period, the landlord must serve the Summary Process Summons and Complaint per Uniform Summary Process Rule 2 / Mass. R. Civ. P. 4 (constable or sheriff; if not made in hand, a first-class mailing copy is also required), then file in District/Housing Court. A residential nonpayment notice to quit must be accompanied by the state's Notice to Quit Attestation Form.
_______________________________________
[LANDLORD/AGENT NAME] — Landlord / Authorized Agent
[LANDLORD ADDRESS]
Date: ________________
PROOF OF SERVICE
I served this notice on the tenant(s) on ____________ (date).
Method of service (use a method permitted in your state — see the service note above):
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________ Date: ____________
Signature of person serving the notice
Email yourself a copy (PDF)
Self-help template, not legal advice. You cannot remove a tenant yourself — serve a proper notice and, if needed, file in court. Confirm Massachusetts and local rules first.
Massachusetts Notice to Pay Rent or Quit Rules
A Notice to Pay Rent or Quit is the first step a landlord takes when a tenant has not paid rent. It demands that the tenant pay the full amount owed within the state's required number of days or move out, before the landlord can file for eviction.
Massachusetts requires a 14-day notice to pay rent or quit. 14-day notice to quit for nonpayment — same period for both written-lease tenants (M.G.L. c.186 §11) and tenants at will (§12). Statutory cure right: a tenant at will who has NOT received a similar nonpayment notice in the prior 12 months can stop the eviction by paying all rent due within 10 days of receiving the notice, and the §12 notice must contain the verbatim statutory language informing the tenant of this 10-day right. A written-lease tenant (§11) can cure by paying all rent, interest, and costs on or before the day the answer is due in the summary-process action. Calendar days. The notice is served under M.G.L. c.186 §§ 11, 12 (notice to quit); summary process under M.G.L. c.239.
How to Serve a Notice to Pay Rent or Quit in Massachusetts
A notice to quit may be served by a constable or sheriff (often by leaving it at the tenant's last and usual address) or sent by the landlord, including by first-class/certified mail; many landlords use in-hand or constable service to ensure proof. After the notice period, the landlord must serve the Summary Process Summons and Complaint per Uniform Summary Process Rule 2 / Mass. R. Civ. P. 4 (constable or sheriff; if not made in hand, a first-class mailing copy is also required), then file in District/Housing Court. A residential nonpayment notice to quit must be accompanied by the state's Notice to Quit Attestation Form. A defective notice or improper service can get an eviction dismissed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days is a Massachusetts notice to pay rent or quit?
Massachusetts requires a 14-day notice to pay rent or quit. 14-day notice to quit for nonpayment — same period for both written-lease tenants (M.G.L. c.186 §11) and tenants at will (§12). Statutory cure right: a tenant at will who has NOT received a similar nonpayment notice in the prior 12 months can stop the eviction by paying all rent due within 10 days of receiving the notice, and the §12 notice must contain the verbatim statutory language informing the tenant of this 10-day right. A written-lease tenant (§11) can cure by paying all rent, interest, and costs on or before the day the answer is due in the summary-process action. Calendar days.
What happens after I serve the notice?
If the tenant does not comply by the deadline, you can file an eviction case in Massachusetts court. Only a court order, enforced by a sheriff or constable, can remove the tenant.
Can I email or download the notice?
Yes — fill in the form above, then download the PDF or email a copy to yourself. Serve it on the tenant using a method Massachusetts allows.
Disclaimer
This Massachusetts notice to pay rent or quit generator is a self-help tool for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Confirm Massachusetts and local requirements before serving.