Resources
Legal Resources
- Boston Bar Association
- Boston Housing Court
- The Forum for Massachusetts Law
- The Official Website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Renters and Landlords
- Small Claims Court
- Mass Legal Help
- Massachusetts Trial Court
Lawyer Referral Service
Tenants’ Rights
- Boston Mayor’s Office for Fair Housing
- Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
- Mayor’s 24 Hour Constituent Service
- Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity
Consumer Rights
- How to be a Tenant in Massachusetts
- Law Guru
- Mass Legal Services
- Secretary of State
- State of Massachusetts Complaint & Mediation Services
- U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
Discrimination
Housing discrimination is illegal in Massachusetts. It is against the law to refuse housing to any individual on the basis of age, blindness, children, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, or receipt of public assistance. Owner occupied two family dwellings, owners may legally refuse to rent to anyone for any reason. If you feel that you have been refused housing because of discrimination you can find support from the legal services listed below.
Unfortunately, it is not illegal to discriminate against students because of their age, nor is it illegal to refuse to rent to students in general.
- Boston Mayor’s Office for Fair Housing
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation
- Disability Law Canter
- Greater Boston Real Estate Board
- Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
- Mayor’s 24 Hour Constituent Service
- Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity
Expert Advice
- BUMC Housing Resources: OHR@bu.edu 617-638-5125
- City of Boston: Department of Neighborhood Development 617-635-2717
- City of Boston: Inspectional Services Department 617-635-5322
- City of Boston: Mayor’s 24 Hour Constituent Service 617-635-4500
