Rental Inspections in Massachusetts (2026)
15 rules on the books across Massachusetts, 12 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Inspection Programs
Proactive rental inspection programs, registration requirements, systematic and periodic inspection cycles, what inspectors check, and the fees landlords pay to fund them.
Boston
Significant RestrictionsBoston Code § 9-1.3 runs a points-based, proactive code enforcement track: ISD assesses points for missed…
Read full rule →Lawrence
Significant RestrictionsLawrence runs a proactive rental inspection program under Municipal Code Chapter 15.14: owners must register every…
Read full rule →Newton
Significant RestrictionsNewton requires every licensed lodging house, a rooming or boarding house with four or more lodgers, to pass a City…
Read full rule →Taunton
Significant RestrictionsEvery rooming house and boardinghouse in Taunton must pass a yearly inspection by the Fire Department, Board of Health…
Read full rule →Brockton
Some RestrictionsBrockton inspects every rental unit at least once every three years, letting owners choose a PHD inspection or a…
Read full rule →Cambridge
Some RestrictionsCambridge's Inspectional Services Department must physically reinspect a rental unit after ordering repairs under the…
Read full rule →Chelsea
Some RestrictionsChelsea runs a mandatory rental inspection program under Code of Ordinances § 6-2, inspecting every rental unit before…
Read full rule →Fall River
Some RestrictionsFall River authorizes its Minimum Housing Standards Director to conduct area-wide housing surveys assessing…
Read full rule →Quincy
Some RestrictionsQuincy, Massachusetts (Norfolk County) requires short-term rental units to pass Fire Department and Health Department…
Read full rule →Revere
Some RestrictionsEvery Revere rental unit must pass a Board of Health inspection before a new occupant moves in. Municipal Code §…
Read full rule →Springfield
Some RestrictionsSpringfield, MA short-term rentals must pass a Code Enforcement inspection before registration and an annual inspection…
Read full rule →Worcester
Some RestrictionsWorcester inspects every non-owner-occupied residential rental unit at least once every five years under Chapter 9…
Read full rule →Tenant Complaint Process
How tenants can file complaints about code violations, what triggers a city inspection, and protections against landlord retaliation for reporting issues.
Boston
Some RestrictionsBoston Code § 9-1.4 lets any tenant demand an ISD inspection of a newly delivered rental unit within 24 hours of moving…
Read full rule →Lawrence
Some RestrictionsLawrence's inspectional services department factors documented tenant complaints into its rolling rental inspection…
Read full rule →Springfield
Some RestrictionsIn Springfield, Massachusetts, five or more written complaints about one licensed rental property triggers a mandatory…
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