Boston Rental Law Changes: 2025–2026 Landlord Guide

Updated October 19, 2026. Boston owners need to track both Massachusetts rules and city requirements. The clearest recent changes affect broker fees and eviction-record screening. A proposed statewide rent-cap question is not on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s November 2026 ballot list. Check official sources linked below before acting; rules and court procedures can change.

This guide summarizes the changes most likely to affect leasing and operations. It is general information, not legal advice. For a property-specific question, consult a Massachusetts housing attorney or the relevant city or state office.

Boston and Massachusetts rental-law changes at a glance

1. Broker fees: the hiring party pays

Since August 1, 2025, a residential rental broker’s fee must be paid by the party that engaged the broker. If the landlord hired a broker to market or lease the unit, the landlord cannot require the tenant to pay that broker’s fee. A tenant may pay a broker the tenant chose and hired to work on the tenant’s behalf. See the state’s broker-fee FAQ and Attorney General advisory.

Owners should review advertisements, lease templates, invoices, and move-in cost sheets. Do not relabel a prohibited broker charge as an application, administrative, leasing, or move-in fee. Massachusetts law separately limits which up-front payments a landlord may collect. See the state security-deposit and last-month’s-rent guidance.

2. Eviction record sealing: use a fair, consistent screening process

Massachusetts’ eviction-record sealing law took effect May 5, 2025. Eligibility depends on the case type and outcome. The statute provides different paths for no-fault or dismissed cases, satisfied nonpayment cases subject to conditions, and other fault cases with waiting periods. Applicants can use the court’s process to petition. Read the Trial Court’s sealing instructions and Chapter 150 of the Acts of 2024.

Screen all applicants under the same written, relevant criteria and follow fair-housing and consumer-reporting requirements. Avoid blanket decisions based on an eviction filing alone; check the current legal status and disposition of any record. For help, see the state’s 2025 Attorney General’s landlord-tenant guide.

3. Rent control: distinguish proposals from current law

Check the current official 2026 statewide ballot list and enacted law before relying on a proposed rent cap. As of October 19, 2026, the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s list of nine statewide questions for November 3 does not include a rent-cap proposal. A campaign proposal, ballot question and enacted rule are different stages; verify the status and effective date before changing leasing practices. Rent, renewal and notice obligations depend on the tenancy, applicable statutes and any local rules in force.

4. Boston owners: confirm local registration and housing standards

Boston rental owners should verify whether each unit must be registered annually and whether it is due for inspection. Start with the City’s rental inspection and registration guidance and its Renting in Boston resource. State sanitary-code and habitability duties also apply; see 105 CMR 410.

For broader background on deposits, repairs, lease terms and eviction procedures, see our Massachusetts tenant and landlord rights guide.

Landlord compliance checklist

• Audit broker arrangements and who is charged before advertising a unit.
• Update fee disclosures, listing templates, leases, and move-in cost sheets.
• Use written, lawful rental-screening criteria consistently and review fair-housing and consumer-reporting procedures.
• Confirm Boston registration, inspection dates, and habitability records for each property.
• Recheck official state and city guidance before each lease cycle; keep a dated copy of the policies used.

Green Ocean supports owners with rental property management, leasing and management services, and property consultations. Service scope depends on the management agreement.

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, local ordinances, and court procedures may change; consult qualified Massachusetts counsel for advice about a specific property or tenancy.