Your rights at 69-71 WESTLAND AV

At or before the start of a tenancy a landlord may collect only first month's rent, last month's rent, a security deposit of no more than one month's rent, and the cost of a key and lock. The deposit must be held in a separate interest-bearing Massachusetts bank account, with 5% annual interest (or the lesser amount the bank paid) paid to the tenant. It must be returned within 30 days after the tenancy ends, less itemized, sworn deductions for allowed items.

M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B

A landlord or foreclosing owner ending a tenancy must give the tenant a Notice of Tenants' Rights and Resources at the same time as the Notice to Quit or notice of lease non-renewal. A copy of the notice, with a Certificate of Compliance/Service, must also be sent to the City's Office of Housing Stability.

Boston Municipal Code § 10-11.7 (Housing Stability Notification Act)

It is unlawful to discriminate in furnishing rental accommodations against a person because they receive public assistance or a housing subsidy (including rental assistance), or because of any requirement of such a program.

M.G.L. c. 151B, § 4(10)

A landlord may obtain CORI to evaluate rental applicants only if the applicant has signed an acknowledgement form, and the information is limited to felony convictions (10 years), misdemeanor convictions (5 years) and pending charges. A landlord holding an applicant's criminal history must give the applicant a copy before questioning them about it and if an adverse housing decision is made on that basis.

M.G.L. c. 6, § 172(a)(3), (c)

Landlords in Boston may not discriminate against renters or applicants because they use rental assistance, including refusing to accept Section 8, social security disability, or veterans vouchers.

Boston Fair Housing Commission regulations; see also M.G.L. c. 151B, § 4(10)

A licensed broker or salesperson may contract with either the prospective tenant or the landlord, not both, and any fee must be paid only by the party who originally engaged the broker. A landlord's broker therefore cannot charge the tenant a fee.

M.G.L. c. 112, § 87DDD½, as amended by St. 2025, c. 9, § 43

Before a tenancy begins, a lessor may require payment only of first month's rent, last month's rent, a security deposit and a lock fee; application, pet, cleaning and amenity fees are forbidden. Licensed brokers may charge fees if they comply with 254 CMR 7 (written disclosure of fee amount, timing and contingency).

M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B; 254 C.M.R. 7