Breaking a Lease for Safety in Massachusetts: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Protections

MA law lets survivors of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, or stalking end a lease early with written notice and requires landlords to change locks on request, with no penalty for using either right.

MA tenants or household members who are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, or stalking.

• •Written notice within 3 months of an incident can end a lease early (c. 186 §24)
• •Landlords must change locks on request when there's an imminent threat (c. 186 §26)
• •No discrimination or penalty for using either right (c. 186 §25)
• •SafeLink (1-877-785-2020) offers 24/7 confidential support