Can a Landlord Enter Without Permission in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a landlord’s right to enter is strictly limited. Unlike many states, a landlord cannot simply enter for “any reasonable purpose”—the reason must be specifically permitted by law or your lease.

Massachusetts Landlord Entry Rules

• Permitted Purposes: Under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B(1)(a), a landlord may only enter to:

• Inspect the premises.
• Make necessary repairs.
• Show the unit to prospective tenants, purchasers, or mortgagees.
• Comply with a court order or if the unit appears abandoned.
• Inspect for damages during the final 30 days of a tenancy.

• Notice Requirement: While state statutes do not specify a fixed number of hours for most entries, “reasonable notice” is required. In Massachusetts, courts and the Attorney General typically define this as 24 hours, though 48 hours is required for repairs related to the State Sanitary Code.

• Right to Privacy: Your right to Quiet Enjoyment is protected under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 14. Landlords who enter without notice, at unreasonable times, or for reasons not listed in the law may be liable for three months’ rent or actual damages, plus attorney’s fees.

Emergency Exception

A landlord may enter without notice or permission only in a genuine emergency that threatens life or property (e.g., a bursting pipe or fire).

The information for this answer was found on our Massachusetts Landlord Tenant Rights answers.