Rental Property Rules in Boston, MA (2026)
2 verified rental property rules for Boston, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rental Registration
Boston requires every owner of private residential rental housing, including condominium units, to register each rental unit with the Inspectional Services Department by July 1 each year. Initial registration costs $25, with a $15 annual renewal fee per unit, though owner-occupied buildings with six or fewer units are fee-exempt under Boston Code § 9-1.3(C).
Boston Rental Property Registration Requirement
Some RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 9-1.3(C)
All owners of private residential rental housing units ("owners"), including condominium units, in the city shall register no later than July 1 of each year with the Inspectional Services Department ("ISD") identifying the property by street address and the number of units that they own at each address... All rental unit registrations shall be recorded in an electronic database of all owners fo...
Repairs & Habitability
A Boston rental can be declared a 'problem property' and public nuisance if police respond to four or more criminal incidents there in 12 months, or if four sustained complaints for noise or 'noxious, noisome or unsanitary conditions' pile up, under Code of Ordinances § 16-57. Getting off the list requires a sworn inspection proving compliance with the state Sanitary Code's habitability minimums.
Boston Public Nuisance Problem Property Rules
Significant RestrictionsBoston Code of Ordinances § 16-57.2
PROBLEM PROPERTY. Meets the following criteria: (1) The Boston Police Department has been called to the property not fewer than four times within the preceding 12-month period for any incident involving any criminal offense including, but not limited to, disturbing the peace, trespassing, underage drinking or assault; (2) The Air Pollution Control Commission has received not fewer than four sus...