Landlord Entry Laws in Massachusetts

By Tenant Know-How Editorial TeamLast updated April 21, 20264 min read

Massachusetts Landlord Entry Law at a Glance

Required Notice

Reasonable notice

Entry Hours Restricted

Yes

reasonable hours only

Emergency Entry Without Notice

Allowed

Tenant Can Refuse Unreasonable Entry

Yes

Permitted Reasons for Entry

Repairs and maintenanceInspectionsShowing to prospective tenantsShowing to prospective buyersCourt orderApparent abandonmentEmergencies

Statute: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B (entry restrictions); § 14 (quiet-enjoyment remedy)

How much notice does a landlord have to give in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts requires landlords to give reasonable advance notice before entering under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B (entry restrictions); § 14 (quiet-enjoyment remedy). The statute does not set a specific hour count — courts typically treat 24 hours as reasonable in practice.

What is your landlord allowed to enter for in Massachusetts?

Under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B (entry restrictions); § 14 (quiet-enjoyment remedy), permitted entry reasons in Massachusetts include:

Repairs and maintenance
Inspections
Showing to prospective tenants
Showing to prospective buyers
Court order
Apparent abandonment
Emergencies

What counts as an emergency in Massachusetts?

Emergency entry (fire, flood, gas leak, etc.) is permitted under common law and implied landlord duties — § 15B itself is silent on emergencies. § 15B does expressly permit entry when premises appear abandoned or under court order.

What are your remedies if your landlord enters without notice in Massachusetts?

If your landlord violates entry rules in Massachusetts, your remedies under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B (entry restrictions); § 14 (quiet-enjoyment remedy) may include:

Court order stopping future violations (injunction)
Right to terminate the lease
Actual damages
Statutory damages (fixed by statute)
Attorney's fees and court costs

In practice, start by documenting the unauthorized entry (photos, texts, a written log), then send a written objection citing the statute. If violations continue, consult a local tenant-rights attorney or your state's housing court.

Important Massachusetts-specific notes

Mass. G.L. c. 186 § 15B restricts lease entry-rights clauses to: (1) inspections, (2) repairs, (3) showings to prospective tenants, buyers, or mortgagees, (4) entry after apparent abandonment, and (5) entry during the last 30 days of tenancy or after termination for damage assessment. No statutory notice-hour count — courts apply 'reasonable notice' (commonly 24 hours in practice). Enforcement comes largely from § 14 quiet-enjoyment, which grants treble damages or three months' rent (whichever is greater) plus attorney's fees.

Landlord Entry Notice Lookup

Find out how much notice your landlord must give before entering your home.

Your State

Massachusetts Law

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B (entry restrictions); § 14 (quiet-enjoyment remedy)

Required Notice

Reasonable notice

Written Notice Required

No (oral OK)

Reasonable Hours Only

Yes

Emergency Entry (No Notice)

Allowed

Permitted reasons for entry

·Repairs and maintenance
·Inspections
·Showing to prospective tenants
·Showing to prospective buyers
·Court order
·Apparent abandonment
·Emergencies

Your remedies if landlord violates entry rules

·Court order stopping future violations (injunction)
·Right to terminate the lease
·Actual damages
·Statutory damages (fixed by statute)
·Attorney's fees and court costs

Massachusetts notes

Full Massachusetts landlord entry rules →

Informational only — not legal advice. Verify with the cited statute or a local attorney.

Massachusetts Landlord Entry FAQ

How much notice does a landlord have to give in Massachusetts before entering?

Massachusetts requires landlords to give "reasonable" advance notice before entering under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B (entry restrictions); § 14 (quiet-enjoyment remedy). There is no specific hour count set by statute; courts generally treat 24 hours as reasonable in practice.

Can a landlord enter my rental in Massachusetts without notice?

In Massachusetts, landlords may enter without notice in emergencies. Emergency entry (fire, flood, gas leak, etc.) is permitted under common law and implied landlord duties — § 15B itself is silent on emergencies. § 15B does expressly permit entry when premises appear abandoned or under court order. Outside of true emergencies, Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B (entry restrictions); § 14 (quiet-enjoyment remedy) requires advance notice.

What can a landlord enter for in Massachusetts?

Under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B (entry restrictions); § 14 (quiet-enjoyment remedy), permitted reasons for landlord entry in Massachusetts include: Repairs and maintenance, Inspections, Showing to prospective tenants, Showing to prospective buyers, Court order, Apparent abandonment, Emergencies.

What can I do if my landlord enters without notice in Massachusetts?

If your landlord violates entry rules in Massachusetts, your remedies under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B (entry restrictions); § 14 (quiet-enjoyment remedy) may include: Court order stopping future violations (injunction); Right to terminate the lease; Actual damages; Statutory damages (fixed by statute); Attorney's fees and court costs. Document the violation in writing and send a demand letter before pursuing legal action.

Does my landlord have to give written notice in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts law does not specifically require written notice. Oral notice is generally acceptable, though landlords and tenants are both better protected when notice is in writing.

Compare to other states

Michigan (Not specified by statute)Montana (24 hours)New York (Reasonable notice)Pennsylvania (Not specified by statute)Utah (24 hours)Alaska (24 hours)

See all 51 jurisdictions →