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Automatic Rent Increase Clauses Updated to Work Without Self-Extending Lease; Please Discontinue Use of the Self-Extending Lease

First Published November 20th, 2025 | Updated September 16th, 2026 Posted in News

An image of an iPad screen shows a portion of the MassLandlords optional clauses available to add to rental agreements.

Our optional clauses rental form has been updated so rental agreements can have automatic rent increases without auto-renewing.

New ‘Junk Fee’ Regulations Prohibit Undisclosed Fees in Rental Housing

First Published January 26th, 2026 | Updated September 16th, 2026 Posted in News

illustration demonstrating the correct and incorrect to advertise a product in compliance with the state’s new junk fee regulation. The first two left-side panels are labeled “Compliant Disclosures” with one panel reading “Total price: $148.86”, contrasted with a panel under “Noncompliant Disclosures” with a panel reading “Price: $143.86, *Seller will add a $5.00 surcharge to cover the cost of processing your online transaction.” The second compliant disclosure panel reads “Total price: $148.86, *includes a $5.00 surcharge to cover the cost or processing your online transaction,” contracted with a noncompliant disclosure panel reading “Total price: $148.86, *includes a $5.00 surcharge.”

A new regulation added to the state’s Consumer Protection Law mandates full, upfront disclosure of any and all fees included in rental housing.

TOPA 194th Session Passes in House and Senate; Sent to Conference

First Published August 24th, 2026 | Updated September 16th, 2026 Posted in News

A photograph shows a street-level view of the front of the Massachusetts State House, including its gold dome and the front gates that read “Massachusetts State House.”

TOPA, the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, or right of first refusal, heads to conference committee for additional work before potential acceptance as part of the 194th session.

Newly Updated Lease and Tenancy at Will Forms Available for Members

First Published August 21st, 2026 | Updated September 10th, 2026 Posted in News

A wooden desktop shows the corner of a laptop computer, and the first page of our tenancy at will form stacked on top of the first page of our fixed-term lease agreement.

The newly released rental forms include updates on broker fees, invasive plants, trash disposal and more.

Landlord and Rental Forms

First Published January 7th, 2014 | Updated September 9th, 2026

A complete set of Massachusetts landlord forms, available to members, with at least one free sample. Updated to show non-residential forms.

Moving Out Letter

First Published February 23rd, 2014 | Updated September 9th, 2026

This letter is optional. If you use it, you should edit it to suit your situation. Send it to departing tenants before their last rental period begins. This letter spells out an option for dealing with partial rent in the last month. You may wish to offer one or none…