Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 239 - Summary Process for Possession of Land
Section 1 - Persons Entitled to Summary Process

Section 1. If a forcible entry into land or tenements has been made, if a peaceable entry has been made and the possession is unlawfully held by force, if the lessee of land or tenements or a person holding under him holds possession without right after the determination of a lease by its own limitation or by notice to quit or otherwise, or if a mortgage of land has been foreclosed by a sale under a power therein contained or otherwise, or if a person has acquired title to land or tenements by purchase, and the seller or any person holding under him refuses to surrender possession thereof to the buyer, or if a tax title has been foreclosed by decree of the land court, or if a purchaser, under a written agreement to purchase, is in possession of land or tenements beyond the date of the agreement without taking title to said land as called for by said agreement, the person entitled to the land or tenements may recover possession thereof under this chapter. A person in whose favor the land court has entered a decree for confirmation and registration of his title to land may in like manner recover possession thereof, except where the person in possession or any person under whom he claims has erected buildings or improvements on the land, and the land has been actually held and possessed by him or those under whom he claims for six years next before the date of said decree or was held at the date of said decree under a title which he had reason to believe good.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part III - Courts, Judicial Officers and Proceedings in Civil Cases

Title III - Remedies Relating to Real Property

Chapter 239 - Summary Process for Possession of Land

Section 1 - Persons Entitled to Summary Process

Section 1a - Land or Tenements Used for Residential Purposes; Action by Lessor Under This Chapter to Recover Possession; Conditions and Restrictions

Section 2 - Jurisdiction; Venue; Form of Writ

Section 2a - Reprisal for Reporting Violations of Law, for Tenant's Union Activity, or Actions Taken Pursuant to Laws Protecting Tenants Who Are Victims of Domestic Violence, Rape, Sexual Assault or Stalking; Defense; Presumption

Section 3 - Judgment and Execution; Costs; Appeal

Section 4 - Storage of Property Removed; Notice of Presence and Condition of Animals; Liens and Enforcement; Penalties

Section 5 - Appeal; Bond; Actions Thereon; Waiver; Appeal of Waiver or Periodic Payments; Notice of Decision

Section 6 - Condition of Bond in Action for Possession After Foreclosure of Mortgage; After Purchase

Section 6a - Condition of Bond After Foreclosure of Tax Title

Section 7 - Judgments; Effect

Section 8 - Three Years Quiet Possession; Effect

Section 8a - Rent Withholding; Grounds; Amount Claimed; Presumptions and Burden of Proof; Procedures

Section 9 - Stay of Proceedings

Section 10 - Stay of Proceedings; Hearings

Section 11 - Stay of Proceedings; Deposit of Applicant

Section 12 - Stay of Proceedings; Validity of Waiver in Lease

Section 13 - Stay of Proceedings; Costs

Section 14 - Inspection of Property for Presence of Abandoned Animals