Breaking a Lease for Safety in Massachusetts: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Protections
Massachusetts law lets survivors of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, or stalking end a lease early — and requires landlords to change locks on request. Here's how the protections work.
M.G.L. c. 186 §§24–27 let a tenant or household member terminate a lease early for safety reasons after domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, or stalking, and require landlords to change locks on request — without penalizing the tenant for using either right.
BLUF: Two Distinct Rights
🚪Ending Your Lease Early (§24)
A tenant, or a household member acting on behalf of the household, can terminate a rental agreement and leave the unit by giving the owner written notice, as long as:
- The notice is given within 3 months of the most recent incident of violence, rape, sexual assault, or stalking against a household member; or
- A household member reasonably fears imminent serious physical harm from further domestic violence if they remain.
The notice must state that the tenant or household member is a victim, and — depending on the circumstance — may need to include supporting documentation such as a police report, a copy of a protective order, or a statement from a qualified third party (like a counselor, social worker, or health care provider). Once proper notice is given, the tenancy ends and rent obligations stop as of a date set by the statute, rather than requiring you to run out a full lease term or serve the usual 30-day tenancy-at-will notice.
🔐Getting Your Locks Changed (§26)
Separately from ending a tenancy, any tenant, co-tenant, or household member who reasonably believes they're under an imminent threat of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, or stalking can require the owner to change the locks. If the owner doesn't do it promptly, the tenant or household member may change the locks themselves and is not liable to the owner for that cost or resulting damage. If a household member has had the locks changed for their safety, the person who poses the threat can be legally barred from re-entering — even before any eviction of that person has happened.
What a landlord cannot do
| Right | Who can use it | Statute |
|---|---|---|
End lease early with written notice | Tenant or household member, victim of DV/rape/sexual assault/stalking | M.G.L. c. 186 §24 |
No discrimination for using §24 or §26 | Same | M.G.L. c. 186 §25 |
Landlord must change locks on request | Tenant, co-tenant, or household member under imminent threat | M.G.L. c. 186 §26 |
Self-help lock change if landlord doesn't act | Same | M.G.L. c. 186 §26–27 |
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🤝Getting Support
- •SafeLink, Massachusetts' statewide domestic violence hotline, can help connect you with emergency housing, legal advocates, and safety planning: 1-877-785-2020 (24/7).
- •Many district courts can issue a c. 209A abuse prevention order (a restraining order), which can independently support a request to vacate a person from your home.
- •Legal aid organizations often have advocates specifically trained in domestic violence housing law — see our Find an Attorney guide.
Not legal advice
Sources
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