Massachusetts Notice to Vacate

About the Massachusetts Notice to Vacate

Many property managers use property management software to stay on top of rent collections and notice periods. A landlord or property manager in Massachusetts can use the Massachusetts Landlord Notice to Vacate Form when they want a tenant to vacate the rental property at the end of their lease (or leave in 30 days or more if there is no lease). Tenants can use the Massachusetts Tenant Notice to Vacate Form to inform landlords and property managers of their intention to vacate the rental property at least 30 days before they intend to move out, or longer if required by the terms of their Massachusetts Lease Agreement. There are several other situations in which the Massachusetts Notice to Vacate might be used, like if the rental property has been sold or if the building has been condemned.

The Notice to Vacate form is useful in the following cases:

• The lease term is ending.
• The tenant has a month-to-month lease in Massachusetts.
• The tenant hasn’t vacated the rental property after the lease has expired.
• The tenant doesn’t have a lease.
• The rental property is being sold or repurposed.
• To ensure legal accuracy, refer to the Chapter 186 – Massachusetts General Laws and the Massachusetts Courts Eviction Guide.
• Used at the end of a lease agreement
• For month-to-month rental terminations
• When the tenant remains after lease expiration
• As part of a broader process

Massachusetts Notice to Vacate - What should it Include?

The Massachusetts Notice to Vacate Form is an easy way to end your Massachusetts rental lease. Landlords or tenants in Massachusetts can use this form to communicate the date by which the rental property should be empty. For month-to-month leases (see the Massachusetts rental agreement for tenancies at will) most states will require at least a 30 Day Notice to Vacate. The Massachusetts Notice to Vacate could be given in the form of a 30 Day Notice to Vacate, 60 Day Notice to Vacate, or a 90 Day Notice to Vacate, depending on the circumstances. The notice period required is typically defined in the rental lease terms.

1. Address of the Rental Property: Full legal address and unit description.
2. Name of tenant and other persons who need to vacate the property: Full legal names of all involved parties.
3. Date of the Notice.
4. Landlord or Property Manager's Name: Include the full name or legal business name of the person or entity issuing the notice.
5. Notice Period: Clearly state the notice length.
6. Move-Out Date (Vacate Date): The exact date the tenant must vacate the premises and return possession to the landlord.
7. Reason for Lease Termination.
8. Signature of Party Giving Notice: Landlord’s or tenant’s signature, depending on who is initiating the notice.
9. Legal Disclaimer: A statement acknowledging that the form complies with Massachusetts Civil Code and may not be valid outside Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Notice to Vacate – What should I do with it?

If you are a tenant who has received the Massachusetts Landlord Notice to Vacate, you may need to remove all of your possessions and vacate the rental property by the date stated on the Notice to Vacate Form. If you are a landlord or property manager who has received the Massachusetts Tenant Notice to Vacate, you should start finding a new tenant for your rental property. If a Notice to Vacate is given before a tenant’s Massachusetts Lease Agreement has ended, additional actions may need to be taken by either party depending on the terms of the Massachusetts rental agreement.

Massachusetts Notice to Vacate – What else should I know?

If you’re planning to end a tenancy in Massachusetts, using the correct notice type and timing (30 days or one full rental period) is essential to stay compliant with state law. The following key points explain when to use a Notice to Vacate, how it differs from other forms, and what steps help avoid common mistakes.

• Purpose: A Massachusetts Notice to Vacate tells a tenant to move out after the lease ends (typically for tenancies-at-will/month-to-month arrangements) or when there is no written lease. It is similar to a Notice to Quit but usually applies to no-fault or non-violation situations.
• Not an Eviction: This notice does not evict the tenant or terminate an active lease. If the tenant remains after the notice period, the landlord must file an eviction action (Summary Process) in court under Chapter 186 – Massachusetts General Laws.
• When to Use Other Forms:
  • Use a 14-Day Notice to Quit for nonpayment of rent (required by MA law).
  • Use a Notice to Quit for Cause for property damage, health/safety violations, or other serious breaches.
  • Use a Lease Termination Form to end a fixed-term lease early or for other lease breaches.
• Timing & Compliance:
  • Landlords must give a full rental period’s notice (typically 30 days or one full month, whichever is longer) to end a month-to-month tenancy.
  • Tenants must also give 30 days or a full rental period’s notice when moving out of a month-to-month rental.
  • Always check Chapter 186 – Massachusetts General Laws and any local city ordinances, especially in municipalities with “just-cause” or special tenant protections.
• Serving the Notice & Avoiding Mistakes:
  • Deliver the notice in person or by certified mail/return receipt requested, and keep proof of delivery.
  • Include the names of landlord and tenant, property address, notice length, move-out date, and the contact details.
  • Add instructions for key return, final walkthrough, and security-deposit refund procedures (MA has strict deposit laws under MGL c.186 §15B).
  • Maintain detailed documentation of all communications to protect against disputes or claims.

Key Terms & Provisions

A Massachusetts Notice to Vacate is a legal document used by either a landlord or a tenant to formally notify the other party that they intend to end the rental agreement. It must comply with Massachusetts Civil Code and be delivered in a legally acceptable way:

• Date of Notice – The specific calendar date when the notice is issued.
• Names of All Parties Involved – Full legal names of the tenant(s) and landlord/property manager.
• Rental Property Address – Full legal address and unit description.
• Notice Period: Clearly state the notice length 
• Move-Out Date
• Reason for Termination
• Signature of Party Giving Notice: Landlord’s or tenant’s signature, depending on who is initiating the notice.
• Legal Disclaimer: A statement acknowledging that the form complies with Massachusetts Civil Code and may not be valid outside Massachusetts.

Why Massachusetts Landlords & Property Managers Choose SimplifyEm Notice to Vacate Template?

We know how important it is to handle lease terminations legally and efficiently in Massachusetts. That’s why our Massachusetts Notice to Vacate Template is built to simplify the process and reduce legal risk. Here’s why property managers and landlords across the state rely on SimplifyEm’s trusted template:

• Legally Compliant – Our Notice to Vacate form aligns with the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 186 and statewide rental housing requirements, ensuring your notices are valid and enforceable.
• Covers 30-Day and 90-Day Notice Requirements – Whether you’re ending a month-to-month tenancy (30-day notice) or dealing with tenants who have lived in the unit for one year or more and qualify for a 90-day notice (under certain local or subsidised housing rules), our template keeps you compliant.
• Clear & Easy to Fill Out – Designed for both landlords and tenants, the form’s simple layout makes it easy to enter key details, specify move-out dates, and issue notices correctly.
• Helps Avoid Disputes – Clear language and built-in documentation guidance help reduce misunderstandings and prevent costly legal issues at move-out.
• Trusted by Thousands of Property Owners – Backed by SimplifyEm, a top-rated property management platform used by landlords and managers nationwide to stay compliant and organized.

Why choose us