Resources
Legal Resources
- Boston Bar Association
- Boston Housing Court
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Renters and Landlords
- The Forum for Massachusetts Law
- Mass Legal Help Private Housing
- Massachusetts Law Tenants and Landlords
- Small Claims
Lawyer Referral Service
Tenants’ Rights
- BOS 311 For non-emergency Boston city services
- Boston Fair Housing
- Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office
- Mass Legal Help Private Housing
- HUD Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity
Consumer Rights
- 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 Fair Housing
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation
- Disability Law Center
- Greater Boston Real Estate Board
- Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination
- HUD Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity