Free Massachusetts Residential Lease Agreement Form

A lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant. This is written to conform to state laws where the property is located. In Massachusetts these allow both parties to comply with a series of set terms for a specified number of months or years.

Rental contracts and lease agreements have a lot of similarities as they both set out payment plans and the terms of use for a house or apartment. However, the big difference is the duration that they cover. Rental agreements usually only cover short-term tenancies of a few months at a time or month-to-month contracts.

A lease agreement should contain the following details:

• How long the tenant may legally reside in the property
• How much rent should be paid
• Information about the security deposits necessary
• When rental installments are due
• Any additional costs that must be serviced by the tenant
• The rules regarding the proper use of the property
• Situations that constitute lease violation eviction procedures

Before beginning the process of creating a residential lease agreement in Massachusetts it is sensible to review an example document first. Use our MA lease agreement sample below to find out more about the structure and contents of a fully-fledged rental contract.

There are many types of MA lease agreement forms that can be used to manage and legally bind many different types of rental situations. They allow landlords to rent out various types of property they might have and for tenants to find the best kind of tenancy for their needs.

The most common types of lease agreements in Massachusetts include:

• Standard residential lease agreements: Under an Arizona standard lease agreement both the landlord and tenant commit to a fixed set of terms that last for a series of months or years.
• Lease with option to purchase: Lease agreements with rent-to-own options are designed for tenants in Arizona that wish to buy the property they are renting. This requires them to pay a sum of money each month, in addition to rent, to cover the costs of the principal.
• Month-to-month rental agreements: Month-to-month Arizona lease agreements will often have similar basic terms to standard residential lease contracts. However, they differ as they can be renewed or ended on a month-by-month basis. Their terms may also be flexibly altered each month.
• Commercial lease agreements: Commercial leases are provided by Arizona landlords of retail property to tenants that intend to use the real estate to run a business.
• Room rental (roommate) agreements: In Arizona rental properties with shared living areas a room rental agreement can be used to rent a singular bedroom.
• Sublease Agreement: An Arizona sublease agreement allows tenants to reassign or "sublease" the property to another individual. This requires the property landlord’s permission and must be specifically allowed in the original lease.

Massachusetts lease agreements must contain a few disclosures and addendums when they are completed and signed. This is to properly inform the tenant of any health risks or potential issues with the property or details about how the property is managed that they must be aware of.

These essential addendums include the following:

• Inventory checklist: At the time of receiving a security deposit or within 10 days of the tenancy beginning (whichever is later), the landlord must issue a Statement of Condition that enables the tenant to write down any damages or repairs that need to be performed on the property (MGL, Chapter 186, § 15B).
• Lead paint disclosure: If the rental unit is in a building constructed before 1978, the landlord or their agent must disclose whether lead paint can be found on the property and must provide safety information for any located on the premises (MGL, Chapter 111, § 197A).
• Security deposit holding disclosure: A section must be added advising the tenant on how the security deposit will be collected and stored, as well as informing the resident of key rules that apply in Massachusetts regarding the deposit (MGL, Chapter 186, § 15B).
• Security deposit receipt: Once the security deposit has been accepted by the landlord, a receipt must be issued immediately. Additionally, within 30 days of receiving the deposit, the landlord must provide a second receipt indicating the name and location of the bank where the funds are held (MGL, Chapter 186, § 15B).
• Fire insurance: Tenants must be informed of the terms and conditions of any fire insurance that is on the property upon written request (MGL, Chapter 186, § 21).

A Massachusetts lease agreement must be written and signed within the laws of Massachusetts state, otherwise, it will be legally contestable and can be declared invalid and block either party from recourse if a violation is committed. These will police how you start and end the contract and control what procedures you can reasonably ask a tenant to follow.

The most important laws to consider when you are renting a property in Massachusetts include:

• Security deposits: Massachusetts landlords may charge no more than one month’s rent. This must be returned to the tenant within 30 days of vacating the property and returning the keys. Landlords must also give advance notice of any deductions (General Laws Annotated chapter 186, §15B).
• Landlord’s right to enter: Under the State Sanitary Code (105 C.M.R. 410.000), landlords must provide at least 48 hours' notice for non-emergency repairs. For other entries allowed by the lease (inspections or showings), a reasonable notice period is required, which is widely accepted as 24 hours. Entry always requires tenant permission unless there is a court order or an emergency.
• Move-in checklist: If a security deposit is collected, the landlord is legally required to provide a rental inspection checklist (Statement of Condition) within 10 days of the tenancy beginning.

For more specific information on Massachusetts lease agreement laws, check the MA government legislature.

Besides lease agreements, there are various other legal documents that are commonly used by landlords. If you are the owner of a rental property, one of the following forms may be helpful for you:

• Massachusetts Rental application
• Massachusetts Eviction notice