Massachusetts Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement
A Massachusetts rent-to-own agreement is a legal contract that provides tenants with the opportunity to purchase the property they are renting. This agreement combines standard lease provisions with specific terms related to the purchase option, including the agreed-upon purchase price and the timeframe within which the tenant can execute the purchase.

Massachusetts Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement
This arrangement is particularly advantageous for tenants who aspire to own a home but are not yet prepared to fully commit to buying. It allows them to live in the property while working towards ownership. Additionally, it benefits landlords by potentially aiding in their real estate objectives, as it allows them to sell the property at a later date.
Legal Framework
The legal framework governing rent-to-own agreements in Massachusetts includes several key statutes:
-
Landlord-Tenant Laws: Chapter 186 addresses estates for years and at-will tenancies, which are pertinent to rental agreements in the state.
-
Purchase Agreement Laws:
- Chapter 183 pertains to the alienation of land, which involves the transfer of property rights.
- Chapter 184 outlines general provisions related to real property.
Required Documentation
Entering into a rent-to-own agreement requires specific documentation, including a rental application and a real estate purchase agreement. These documents are essential for formalizing the arrangement and ensuring that both parties understand their rights and obligations.
Statutes
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 15B(1)(b)(iii) – Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts; interest; records; security deposits
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 15B(3)(a) – Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts; interest; records; security deposits
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 15B(3)(b) – Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts; interest; records; security deposits
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 15B(1)(e) – Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts; interest; records; security deposits
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 15B(2)(c) – Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts; interest; records; security deposits
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 15B(4)(iii) – Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts; interest; records; security deposits
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 15B(2)(d)(iii) – Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts; interest; records; security deposits
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 15B(3)(a) – Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts; interest; records; security deposits
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 15B(7) – Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts; interest; records; security deposits
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 15B(9) – Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts; interest; records; security deposits
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 15B(1)(c) – Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts; interest; records; security deposits
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 15B(1)(b)(i-ii) – Entrance of premises prior to termination of lease; payments; receipts; interest; records; security deposits
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 239 § 8A – Rent withholding; grounds; amount claimed; presumptions and burden of proof; procedures
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 111 § 127L – Repairs by tenants of residential premises to cure violations; reimbursement for cost
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 12 – Notice to determine estate at will
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 11 – Determination of lease for nonpayment of rent
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 15F – Certain provisions of lease or rental agreement relating to residential real property as to litigation and liability of landlord deemed void; remedies of tenant
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 21 – Disclosure of insurance information by lessor; violations; waiver
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 24(a) – Termination of rental agreement or tenancy upon notification to owner that household member is victim of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or stalking
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 24(b) – Termination of rental agreement or tenancy upon notification to owner that household member is victim of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or stalking
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 25 – Owner prohibited from refusal to enter into rental agreement based on sec. 24 or 25
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 26 – Owner required to change locks if requested by tenant under imminent threat of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or stalking; denial of key to alleged perpetrator
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186 § 18 – Reprisal for reporting violations of law or for tenant’s union activity; damages and costs; notice of termination, presumption; waiver in leases or other rental agreements prohibited
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 239 § 2A – Retaliation Presumption
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 139 § 19 – Voiding of lease of tenant using premises for common nuisance
- Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 218 § 21 – Power to establish rules of small claims procedure; venue; jurisdictional amount; hearings; damages and penalties
FAQs
A Massachusetts rent-to-own agreement is a legal contract that allows tenants to rent a property with the option to purchase it later. It includes standard lease provisions along with specific terms regarding the purchase, such as the agreed-upon price and the timeframe for executing the purchase.
Rent-to-own agreements are beneficial for tenants who aspire to own a home but may not be ready to commit immediately. This arrangement provides them with the opportunity to live in the property while working towards ownership.
Landlords benefit from rent-to-own agreements as they can attract tenants who are serious about purchasing the property. This can help landlords achieve their real estate goals and potentially sell the property at a later date.
In Massachusetts, landlord-tenant relationships are governed by Chapter 186, which covers estates for years and at will. Additionally, Chapters 183 and 184 address laws related to the conveyance of land and general provisions regarding real property.
A rent-to-own agreement typically requires a rental application and a real estate purchase agreement. These documents outline the terms of the rental and the conditions under which the tenant can purchase the property.
The specific dates during which a tenant can execute their purchase are outlined in the rent-to-own agreement. This timeframe is agreed upon by both the tenant and the landlord at the start of the lease.