Massachusetts Legal Aid (MassLegalHelp / MassLRF)
Last updated August 2026
MassLegalHelp, run by the state's legal aid programs, helps low-income Massachusetts residents with civil legal problems. Use the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder to get contact information for legal aid programs, court services, helplines, and clinics. Free legal aid is income-based and there are not enough lawyers for every case, so apply promptly.
Start with the rule that protects you today: to evict you, a landlord must get a court's permission. They cannot lock you out, remove your belongings, or harass you. In most cases they must first send a written Notice to Quit, and you do not have to move out by the date on it. That notice is only how long before the landlord can go to court.
The notice period depends on the reason. Owing rent gets a 14-day Notice to Quit, some lease violations get 7 days, no-fault or other reasons get 30 days, and alleged illegal activity or an expired lease may get no notice. For a nonpayment eviction you have a right to cure: paying the full rent owed plus any required court costs by a set time before your hearing stops the eviction.
An eviction is a summary process court case, and deadlines decide it. You must file a written Answer by the deadline, usually about three business days before the first court event, explaining why you should not be evicted, or you can lose by default. The court then schedules a First Tier Court Event with mandatory mediation at least 30 days after filing; missing it is an automatic default loss.
You have a venue right worth using. If your case is filed in District Court or Boston Municipal Court, you can transfer it to the Housing Court, which specializes in housing cases and has Lawyer for the Day and housing specialist resources. Some courts run Lawyer for the Day programs where a volunteer helps on the day of your case.
Free help comes in several forms: Mass Legal Answers Online for advice from a volunteer lawyer, Lawyer for the Day at court, and the Legal Resource Finder for referrals. And tenants facing eviction can apply for RAFT rental assistance, while the Tenancy Preservation Program helps when the eviction relates to a disability. Dial 2-1-1 for referrals and rent funds.
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Low-income Massachusetts residents with a civil, noncriminal legal problem; in most cases you qualify if you are low income or age 60 or older
- The self-help legal information at masslegalhelp.org is free for everyone, with no income screen
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Use the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder or dial 211 to reach a legal aid program.
- 2
Read any Notice to Quit for its type and deadline; you do not have to move by that date.
- 3
In a nonpayment case, pay the full rent owed plus court costs before the hearing to cure it.
- 4
File your written Answer on time, attend the court event, and ask about transferring to Housing Court.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Do I have to move out by the date on a Notice to Quit?
No. The notice period is only how long before the landlord can go to court. A landlord needs a court's permission and cannot lock you out or remove your belongings.
How much notice do I get for unpaid rent?
A 14-day Notice to Quit. You also have a right to cure: paying the full rent owed plus required court costs by a set time before your hearing stops the eviction.
What happens after an eviction case is filed?
You must file a written Answer, usually about three business days before the first court event, or risk a default. A First Tier Court Event with mandatory mediation is set at least 30 days after filing.
Can I get a lawyer for my eviction?
Some courts run Lawyer for the Day programs, and Mass Legal Answers Online gives free advice. You can also transfer a case to the Housing Court, which has more tenant resources.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
See all Massachusetts programs →Free · Private · No account needed