Boston Rental Inspection Requirements and Checklist
Boston rental registration and rental inspections are separate. Register covered rental property annually by July 1. The City selects non-exempt rentals for inspection on a five-year cycle and mails a Notice of Selection with instructions. If you receive a notice, check which units it covers, when you must respond, and which inspection options it allows….
Boston rental registration and rental inspections are separate. Register covered rental property annually by July 1. The City selects non-exempt rentals for inspection on a five-year cycle and mails a Notice of Selection with instructions. If you receive a notice, check which units it covers, when you must respond, and which inspection options it allows.
Green Ocean handles registration, inspection scheduling and any repairs the inspector flags for the owners we manage. See our Boston rental management.
Table of Contents
Boston rental registration and inspection at a glance
| Requirement | What Boston owners should check |
|---|---|
| Annual registration | Register covered rentals by July 1. The City lists $25 per unit for first-time registration and $15 per unit for renewal, subject to its building and complex caps. City registration instructions |
| Periodic inspection | Check your mailed Notice of Selection for the units, response dates, and available inspection options. City inspection instructions |
| City inspection fee | $50 per unit in a building with one to three units, $75 per unit in a building with four or more units, and $75 per condo unit. |
| Authorized inspector | Confirm the inspector’s charge and submit the signed passing report and signed affidavit for each unit. The City filing fee is $15 per unit report. |
City guidance checked November 3, 2026.
What should I do when Boston sends an inspection notice?
- Read the notice. Record the units listed and the dates for responding and submitting documents. Contact Boston Inspectional Services if the notice lists the wrong units or you believe the property qualifies for an exemption.
- Choose an inspection option. Arrange a City inspection or confirm that an alternative listed by the City applies to your property.
- Coordinate access. Review the City’s tenant consent form and confirm access arrangements before the visit. Ask Inspectional Services what to do if access is disputed or unavailable. Boston rental inspection consent form
- Walk through the units and applicable common areas. Check alarms, exits, heat, plumbing, windows, and sanitation using the City’s checklist. Record open repairs and who is responsible for them. Boston rental inspection checklist
- Keep the results and follow the written instructions. Save the reports, affidavits, and filing confirmations. If you receive a violation notice, use that notice for correction and follow-up instructions.
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Boston rental inspection FAQs
Is my owner-occupied building exempt?
Boston lists an inspection exemption for buildings with six or fewer units where the owner lives in one of the units. Confirm whether your property qualifies and check its annual registration obligation separately.
Does a vacant unit or a unit under renovation still count?
Boston says vacancy or renovation does not by itself exempt a property from registration or inspection. Contact Inspectional Services if construction or access affects your ability to follow the notice.
Can I submit an inspection report I already have?
Boston lists certain housing-agency inspection reports as an option, with a $15 filing fee per unit report. Confirm that your report qualifies and meets the dates and instructions in your notice before relying on it.
For annual filing steps, see the Boston rental registration guide. For help organizing maintenance records and coordinating repairs, see Boston rental property management.
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