Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 186 - Estates for Years and at Will
Section 13 - Recovery of Possession After Termination of Tenancy at Will

Section 13. Whenever a tenancy at will of premises occupied for dwelling purposes, other than a room or rooms in a hotel, is terminated, without fault of the tenant, either by operation of law or by act of the landlord, except as provided in section twelve, no action to recover possession of the premises shall be brought, nor shall the tenant be dispossessed, until after the expiration of a period, equal to the interval between the days on which the rent reserved is payable or thirty days, whichever is longer, from the time when the tenant receives notice in writing of such termination; but such tenant shall be liable to pay rent for such time during the said period as he occupies or retains the premises, at the same rate as theretofore payable by him while a tenant at will; provided, that in the case of a rooming house, an action to recover possession of premises occupied for dwelling purposes may be brought seven days after written notice if the rent is payable on either a weekly or daily basis. A tenancy at will of property occupied for dwelling purposes shall not be terminated by operation of law by the conveyance, transfer or leasing of the premises by the owner or landlord thereof or by foreclosure.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part II - Real and Personal Property and Domestic Relations

Title I - Title to Real Property

Chapter 186 - Estates for Years and at Will

Section 1a - Land Demised for Term of 100 Years or More Regarded as Estate in Fee Simple

Section 3 - Tenancy at Sufferance; Liability for Rent

Section 4 - Liability of Tenant for Rent for Proportion of Land in Possession

Section 5 - Action to Recover Rent; Evidence

Section 6 - Survival of Action

Section 7 - Remedies of Landlords

Section 8 - Recovery of Rent Accruing Before Determination of Lease

Section 9 - Recovery of Rent Paid in Advance

Section 10 - Rent as a Necessary

Section 11 - Determination of Lease for Nonpayment of Rent

Section 11a - Termination of Lease for Nonpayment of Rent

Section 12 - Notice to Determine Estate at Will

Section 13 - Recovery of Possession After Termination of Tenancy at Will

Section 13a - Tenants Deemed to Be at Will Upon Foreclosure of Residential Real Property; Status of Tenancy Agreements Where Rental Payment Subsidized Under State or Federal Law

Section 14 - Wrongful Acts of Landlord; Premises Used for Dwelling or Residential Purposes; Utilities, Services, Quiet Enjoyment; Penalties; Remedies; Waiver

Section 15 - Non-Liability of Landlord; Provisions in Lease or Rental Agreement

Section 15a - Waiver of Notices; Lease or Rental Agreement Provisions; Validity

Section 15b - Entrance of Premises Prior to Termination of Lease; Payments; Receipts; Interest; Records; Security Deposits

Section 15c - Residential Real Estate, Lease Payments Based on Real Estate Tax Increases

Section 15d - Oral Agreement to Execute Lease; Delivery of Lease Copy; Penalty; Waiver

Section 15e - Action Against Owner; Injuries Due to Defects Violating Building Code; Defense; Waiver

Section 15f - Residential Leases or Rental Agreements Restricting Litigation or Landlord Liability; Ouster of Tenant; Remedies

Section 16 - Leases or Rental Agreements Restricting Occupancy of Children

Section 17 - Occupancy Constituting Tenancy at Will; Termination

Section 17a - Residential Care and Services; Housing Facility Providers; Eviction; Hearing; Jurisdiction

Section 18 - Reprisal for Reporting Violations of Law or for Tenant's Union Activity; Damages and Costs; Notice of Termination, Presumption; Waiver in Leases or Other Rental Agreements Prohibited

Section 19 - Notice to Landlord of Unsafe Condition; Tort Actions for Injuries Resulting From Uncorrected Condition

Section 20 - Attorneys' Fees and Expenses; Residential Lease Provisions; Implied Covenant; Waiver

Section 21 - Disclosure of Insurance Information by Lessor; Violations; Waiver

Section 22 - Definitions; Submeter Installation; Testing; Water Use Charges; Public Housing Development Exemption

Section 23 - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 23 to 29

Section 24 - Termination of Rental Agreement or Tenancy by Victim of Domestic Violence, Rape, Sexual Assault or Stalking

Section 25 - Refusal of Rental Agreement or Assistance Based on Termination of Rental Agreement Under Sec. 24 or Request for Change of Lock Under Sec. 26 Prohibited

Section 26 - Change of Locks Upon Request of Tenant, Co-Tenant or Household Member Believed to Be Under Imminent Threat of Domestic Violence, Rape, Sexual Assault or Stalking

Section 27 - Jurisdiction of Courts to Restrain Violation of Secs. 23 to 26; Applicability of Other Laws to Requests to Change Locks

Section 28 - Waivers of Secs. 23 to 27 Void and Unenforceable

Section 29 - Owner Immunity From Liability

Section 30 - Inspection of Vacated Property for Presence of Abandoned Animals