Despite the fact that the recent government shutdown is now over, a new law recently went into effect in Massachusetts on November 25, 2025, which impacts non-payment of rent eviction procedure and limits a landlord’s ability to charge late fees and proceed with certain actions and motions in court.
Under the new law, there is a Moratorium on nonpayment of rent actions involving “impacted federal workers” who are generally defined under the statute as government workers who were furloughed or required to continue work without pay during a federal government shutdown by the government. The moratorium is currently scheduled to continue until January 26, 2026.
Most importantly for landlords, the law places new responsibilities on the Plaintiff when filing nonpayment summary process actions. Specifically, the law requires a Plaintiff to include additional language on all nonpayment summary process complaints stating that the Defendant is not an impacted federal worker and Plaintiff has not received notice that the Defendant is a federal worker. This language is required whether or not the Defendant is an impacted federal worker. New cases filed during the Moratorium which do not contain the above required language will be rejected by the Court. Furthermore, during the Moratorium, if the Defendant provides the Court with documentation that he/she is an impacted federal worker, the Court generally cannot enter a default judgment, enter a judgment for possession, deny continuances of 30 days or less, or schedule any court event other than a status hearing.
Additionally, during the Moratorium, landlords may not charge a late fee or furnish rental payment data to consumer reporting agencies related to nonpayment of rent if the landlord has notice that tenant is an impacted federal worker.
In the near future, the Court may add a “checkbox” to the standard form summary process summons and complaint containing the mandatory language regarding impacted federal workers. Until that time, Plaintiff landlords must continue to add the required language to all nonpayment summary process complaints filed during the Moratorium.
If you have questions or would like to discuss these matters, please contact Drayton Law at 508-618-7309.
This blog is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered legal advice. All those who read this blog should seek the advice of a professional before taking action based upon any information provided herein.
