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If the lease expires without action or renewal, the tenant does not become a squatter. Under Massachusetts law, they become either a "tenant at will" or a "tenant at sufferance" . The difference is whether they have the landlord's permission to remain.

It is also called a "month to month tenancy" because landlords usually require tenants to pay rent once a month, in advance. As a tenant at will, you have the right to "lawful and exclusive possession" of the place you rent. This means your landlord can only come into your apartment with your permission.

As long as the tenant does not violate any rules, they can stay until their rental period ends. But if they stay in the property even a day after their lease/rental agreement ends and have not arranged for a renewal, landlords can issue a written 30-Day Notice to Vacate.

An extension clause (also called "self-extending") says that if you or your landlord want to end the tenancy at the end of the lease, you must give each other written notice by a certain date. If you do not, the lease will automatically extend for another term.

The law requires tenants at will to give landlords written notice that they are moving out at least one full rental period or 30 days (whichever is longer) before moving. 10 This time period starts to run from the time your landlord receives the notice, not from the time you send it.

Your landlord must first send you a "Notice to Quit" your tenancy. If the landlord is terminating your tenancy for non-payment of rent, s/he must send you a "14-Day Notice to Quit" (M.G.L.c.186, §§ 11 and 12). Your lease will specify the notice requirement for other terminations; it is typically seven days.