Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts

Translation of and questions about non-payment notice

The following is an unintelligible notice i received in my mailbox (w/o an envelope). I would appreciate an opinion as to whether such wording is standard as it's almost laughably offensive.

(case and punctuation left as is)

-

14-DAY NOTICE TO QUIT FOR NON-PAYMENT OF RENT

TO: (ME)

Your rent being in arrears, you are hereby notified to quit and deliver up in fourteen days from receipt of this notice the premises now held by you as my tenant namely:

(My address)

PAST DUE RENT FOR THE MONTH OF: JULY (July being crossed out with black pen and APRIL being written above) $1375 PLUS $25.00 FOR SERVICE OF THIS NOTICE

TOTAL DUE: $1400.00

HEREOF FAIL NOT, or I shall take due course of Law to eject you from the same.

(signed by someone unknown to me)

-

From what i understand, without paying the written amount i can be removed from the house in two weeks. Keep in mind this is a poor photocopy that was just dropped in my mailbox and the rent amount isn't even correct.

This notice is also dated April 4th, and my rent is due on the first of the month; isn't there some sort of legal wiggle room where i'm given a certain period of time to comply, especially when i'm without prior problems?


Asked on 4/07/03, 12:53 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Murphy Law Office of Thomas Murphy

Re: Translation of and questions about non-payment notice

You do not state whether you have a lease or if you're in a tenancy at will. The difference matters in this case, because if it's at-will, the notice to quit should contain language stating you have a right to "cure" the arrearage. Either way, you'll have a certain period of time to pay the rent before the landlord can institute a summary process action against you. As for the $25 fee, the landlord cannot charge you for this.

Read more
Answered on 4/07/03, 10:39 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Landlord & Tenants questions and answers in Massachusetts