# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 4: Effect of recordation or actual notice of deeds or leases, or of assignments of rents or profits > Massachusetts · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S4 ## Section - **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 4 - **Heading:** Effect of recordation or actual notice of deeds or leases, or of assignments of rents or profits - **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** MA Code / Part II / Title I / Chapter 183 / Section 4 ## Text Section 4. A conveyance of an estate in fee simple, fee tail or for life, or a lease for more than seven years from the making thereof, or an assignment of rents or profits from an estate or lease, shall not be valid as against any person, except the grantor or lessor, his heirs and devisees and persons having actual notice of it, unless it, or an office copy as provided in section thirteen of chapter thirty-six, or, with respect to such a lease or an assignment of rents or profits, a notice of lease or a notice of assignment of rents or profits, as hereinafter defined, is recorded in the registry of deeds for the county or district in which the land to which it relates lies. A ''notice of lease'', as used in this section, shall mean an instrument in writing executed by all persons who are parties to the lease of which notice is given and shall contain the following information with reference to such lease:—the date of execution thereof and a description, in the form contained in such lease, of the premises demised, and the term of such lease, with the date of commencement of such term and all rights of extension or renewal. A ''notice of assignment of rents or profits'', as used in this section, shall mean an instrument in writing executed by the assignor and containing the following information:— a description of the premises, the rent or profits of which have been assigned, adequate to identify the premises, the name of assignee, and the rents and profits which have been assigned. A provision in a recorded mortgage assigning or conditionally assigning rents or profits or obligating the mortgagor to assign or conditionally assign existing or future rents or profits shall constitute a ''notice of assignment of rents or profits''. Section 4. A conveyance of an estate in fee simple, fee tail or for life, or a lease for more than seven years from the making thereof, or an assignment of rents or profits from an estate or lease, shall not be valid as against any person, except the grantor or lessor, his heirs and devisees and persons having actual notice of it, unless it, or an office copy as provided in section thirteen of chapter thirty-six, or, with respect to such a lease or an assignment of rents or profits, a notice of lease or a notice of assignment of rents or profits, as hereinafter defined, is recorded in the registry of deeds for the county or district in which the land to which it relates lies. A ''notice of lease'', as used in this section, shall mean an instrument in writing executed by all persons who are parties to the lease of which notice is given and shall contain the following information with reference to such lease:—the date of execution thereof and a description, in the form contained in such lease, of the premises demised, and the term of such lease, with the date of commencement of such term and all rights of extension or renewal. A ''notice of assignment of rents or profits'', as used in this section, shall mean an instrument in writing executed by the assignor and containing the following information:— a description of the premises, the rent or profits of which have been assigned, adequate to identify the premises, the name of assignee, and the rents and profits which have been assigned. A provision in a recorded mortgage assigning or conditionally assigning rents or profits or obligating the mortgagor to assign or conditionally assign existing or future rents or profits shall constitute a ''notice of assignment of rents or profits''. ## Nearby sections - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 1 Acts or ceremonies necessary for conveyance by deed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S1.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 1A Instruments not under seal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S1A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 2 Estate conveyed by quitclaim deed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S2.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 3 Estate created without instrument in writing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S3.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 4 Effect of recordation or actual notice of deeds or leases, or of assignments of rents or profits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S4.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 5 Recording of instruments; evidence of delivery](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S5.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 5A Recording of statements relating to title; use as evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S5A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 5B Affidavits relating to title; recording](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S5B.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 6 Name and address of grantee; recital of consideration; failure to comply](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S6.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 6A Instruments conveying unregistered land; sufficient description or identification; recording; failure to comply](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S6A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 6B Address of property affected](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S6B.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 6C Residence and address of mortgagee or assignee](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S6C.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 6D Endorsement on mortgages and assignments of mortgages secured by residential property; contents; failure to comply](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S6D.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 183, sec. 7 Conveyance by grantor notwithstanding disseisin or adverse possession; title; grantee's rights](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S7.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PII_TI_C183_S4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.