HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3871        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Bradley H. Jones, Jr.

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act addressing squatter’s rights.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3871        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No.         

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

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An Act addressing squatter’s rights.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 120 of chapter 266 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 official edition, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following:-

This section shall not apply to tenants or occupants of residential premises who, having rightfully entered said premises at the commencement of the tenancy or occupancy, continue to legally reside at the property per a lease or written agreement. The owner or landlord of said premises may request from the sheriff of the county in which the property is located the immediate removal of a person or persons occupying the property, provided that:

The property was not open to members of the public at the time the occupant or occupants entered;

The property owner or landlord has directed the occupant or occupants to vacate or leave the property; and

The occupant or occupants have not signed a lease or written agreement entitling them to reside at the property, have remained on the property after their lease or written agreement has expired, or have knowingly and willingly failed to adhere to the terms of the lease or written agreement.

The property owner or landlord may petition the sheriff’s office of the county in which the property is located by presenting a completed and verified complaint to remove persons unlawfully occupying residential real property, which shall verify that the above conditions are met. The owner or landlord may submit this form in writing or complete it online.