Massachusetts Notice to Pay Rent or Quit — Free Generator & 2026 Requirements
Updated July 2026 · Reviewed against Massachusetts statutes
Serving a proper pay-or-quit notice is the first legal step in every Massachusetts nonpayment eviction — and getting it wrong can force you to restart the entire process. Massachusetts requires 14 days' notice. The tool below builds a correctly formatted notice for you, free.
| Required notice period | 14 days |
| Statute | Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 11 |
| Applies to | Nonpayment of rent |
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Your notice
How to serve this notice in Massachusetts
Frequently asked questions
How many days' notice is required for nonpayment of rent in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires 14 days' written notice before an eviction can be filed for nonpayment (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 11).
Can I email or text the notice to my tenant in Massachusetts?
Generally no. Most states, including Massachusetts, require formal service — personal delivery, delivery to a suitable person at the premises, posting plus mailing, or certified mail. Check your statute for the accepted methods and keep proof of service.
What happens if the tenant pays after receiving the notice?
If the tenant pays the full amount demanded within the notice period, the tenancy generally continues and you cannot proceed with an eviction based on that notice. Partial payments can complicate or void the notice in some states — decide in advance whether to accept them.