Boston Landlord-Tenant Rules

Rent stabilization: Boston has no rent stabilization or rent control in effect. Massachusetts banned local rent control by a 1994 statewide ballot question. The City Council approved a home rule petition on March 8, 2023 asking the Legislature to let Boston adopt rent stabilization and just-cause protections, and that petition was filed as H.3744 (2023-2024 session). The Legislature did not enact it. It was referred to the Housing Committee, and on September 9, 2024 it was accompanied by a study order (H.5035), which ended it. The City Council later voted 9-3 to support a proposed statewide rent stabilization ballot measure for November 2026. As described by the City, it would cap annual increases at CPI or 5%, whichever is lower, and exempt owner-occupied buildings of 4 or fewer units and new buildings during their first 10 years. That measure (Initiative Petition 25-21) is NOT on the November 3, 2026 ballot: none of the Secretary of the Commonwealth's nine statewide questions concerns rent control. The statewide ban in M.G.L. c. 40P therefore remains in force in Boston.; Just-cause eviction: Boston has no just-cause eviction law in effect. It was part of the 2023 home rule petition (H.3744), which was not enacted. That petition was sent to a study order on September 9, 2024.; Required notices/registration: Housing Stability Notification Act: any landlord planning to end a tenancy must give the tenant the City's Notice of Tenants' Rights and Resources (available in 12 languages) together with the notice to quit or notice of lease non-renewal. Landlords and foreclosing owners must also submit tenant contact information and a copy of the notice to quit or non-renewal through the City's online portal, or face fines of up to $300 per day. The Office of Fair Housing and Equity investigates violations and Inspectional Services issues tickets. Separately, all rental properties must be registered with Inspectional Services every year by July 1. Late registration can bring a $300-per-month penalty, back fees to 2013 are owed, and registered units are inspected at least once every 5 years. Maximum fees are $2,500 per building or $5,000 per complex.; Tenant right to counsel: Boston has no general right to counsel. The Office of Housing Stability runs an 'Access to Counsel' program that provides full legal representation early in the eviction process to eligible households with children enrolled in K-12 schools. OHS also has staff attorneys and legal-aid partners who advise tenants and small landlords.