Rental Inspections in Boston, MA (2026)
2 verified rental inspections rules for Boston, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Inspection Programs
Boston Code § 9-1.3 runs a points-based, proactive code enforcement track: ISD assesses points for missed registrations, ignored violation notices and problem-property listings, and any owner who crosses a unit-count-based threshold within 12 months is classified a "chronic offender" facing escalating $300 fines and mandatory three-year re-inspections.
Boston Chronic Offender Rental Enforcement Points
Significant RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 9-1.3(A), (H)
(A) The purpose of this Section is to implement a proactive rental inspection program that maximizes the effectiveness of city resources in rental property code enforcement. It identifies all rental units in the city and their owners on a continuous and recurring basis... and prioritizes notorious problem properties in order to economically target city resources toward chronic and priority offe...
Tenant Complaint Process
Boston Code § 9-1.4 lets any tenant demand an ISD inspection of a newly delivered rental unit within 24 hours of moving in, with Inspectional Services required to inspect within two business days: a right the ordinance says exists independent of any other inspection process.
Boston Tenant Right to Request Rental Inspection
Some RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 9-1.4(C)
Compliance with either or both Sections does not restrict the right of any occupant to, at any time, request that the Inspectional Services Department conduct an inspection of his or her rental premises for violations of any applicable code... (C) Enforcement process. (1) To seek relief under this Section, a new tenant shall request an inspection within 24 hours of moving into a rental dwelling...