What Kind of Tenancy Do You Have

All renters in Massachusetts have the right to a decent apartment and the right to live in that apartment until either you decide to move or, if the landlord is trying to evict you, a judge decides that you must move out of your apartment. What specific rights (and responsibilities) you have in addition to this will depend on:

• What type of tenancy you have, and
• What type of housing you rent.

This chapter will help you figure out what type of tenancy you have. We make reference to these tenancies throughout this book. Other chapters tell you what your rights are if you live in a rooming house, mobile home, or condominium.