If state law requires that a landlord must give a copy of the lease to the tenant(s) within 30 days of signing, what happens if they don’t?
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If state law requires that a landlord must give a copy of the lease to the tenant(s) within 30 days of signing, what happens if they don’t?
Asked on September 13, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
In your situation, your state's statute (940 CMR 3.17 (3)) requires that the landlord of a rental is required to provide his or her tenant a copy of the written lease within thirty (30) days of its signing by all parties, Failure of the landlord to do this can result in a penalty/fine assessment of up to three-hundred dollars ($300.00).
If your landlord has not provided you with the written lease signed by you and him/her, you need to write a letter requesting it within a certain time period mentioning the above referenced statute and the possible penalty for the failure to provide the document as requested within the thirty (30) time frame.
Good luck.
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