When you need a rental inspection
We inspect rental properties to make sure they meet state housing codes. Here's how you can comply with the inspection requirement.
If you have a rental property in Boston, you will be selected for a rental inspection once every five years. If your property is selected for an inspection, we'll send you a notice in the mail with instructions.
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Have questions? Contact:
Inspectional Services -
1010 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE
5TH FLOOR
BOSTON , MA 02118 -
Register a rental property
If you own a rental property, you must register it with the City of Boston each year.
Who needs to get inspections
All rental properties in the City of Boston must get inspections.
The following properties are exempt:
- buildings that have six or fewer units with the property owner living in one of the units
- properties owned and operated by City, state, or federal government, and
- rooming houses, dorms, and lodging houses with a valid lodging license.
These properties are NOT exempt from inspections:
- vacant properties and units
- properties under renovation
- properties where the tenant is a relative who is 18 or over and not on the deed, and
- units where you don't collect rent.
What to do when you get a notice
If you get a notice for a rental inspection, you can do one of the following:
- Have a City housing inspector inspect your units. The cost is $50 per unit if your building has one-to-three units, $75 per unit if there are four or more, and $75 per condo unit.
- Get an inspection from an authorized inspector. We take reports from these authorized inspectors. After the inspection, you must submit one passed inspection report with a signed affidavit per unit. Each report must be signed by the authorized inspector. You need to pay a $15 filing fee for each unit report.
- You may also file inspection reports from Boston Housing Authority or Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership inspectors. There's a $15 filing fee for each unit report filed.
- Refer to the Notice of Selection you received for dates and time restrictions.
- You can apply for a Five-Year Alternative Inspection Compliance Plan. This is only for landlords who have a history of meeting state and City codes. Learn more about how to apply for the Five-Year plan.
City-authorized inspectors
| Name | Address / Email | Number | Type of license / Number |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ron Riggs |
86B Thornton Street Info@AdvancedBuildingInspect ors.com |
C.H.I. |
|
|
Cathy Cardinale |
4 Alpine Street |
R.S. & HQS Certified/1338 |
|
|
Les Christos |
11 Wilson Park #1 |
C.H.I. |
Forms and resources
FormsHow to register a rental property
Rental inspection checklist
Rental inspection ordinance
Authorized private inspectors (July 2022)
Rental inspection tenant consent form
How to apply for the Five-Year Inspection Plan
Five-year inspection sample management plan
Five-year application form (2020)
Mass. sanitary code
Fire escape and fire balcony affidavit
Rental Registration Frequently Asked Questions
Rental Registration Brochure (Traditional Chinese)
Rental Registration Brochure (Arabic)
Rental Registration Brochure (French)
Rental Registration Brochure (Cape Verdean Creole)
Rental Registration Brochure (Simplified Chinese)
Rental Registration Brochure (Vietnamese)
Rental Registration Brochure (Haitian Creole)
Rental Registration Brochure (Russian)
Rental Registration Brochure (Spanish)
Rental Registration Brochure (Somali)
Rental Registration Brochure (Portuguese)
Rental Registration Brochure (English)
NOTICE OF ACCOMODATIONS
Contact: Inspectional Services
NOTICE OF ACCOMODATIONS
- English: Interpretation, translation, and disability accommodation services are available to you at no cost. If you need them, please contact us at isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov, or 617-635-5300
- Spanish - Español: Hay servicios de interpretación, traducción y adaptaciones para discapacidades a su disposición sin costo alguno. Si los necesita, por favor póngase en contacto con nosotros mandando un correo electrónico a isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov o llamando a 617-635-5300
- Cabo Verdean Creole - kriolu: Nu ta oferese-bu sirvisus di interpretason, traduson y sirvisus di komodason pa gentis ku difisénsia di grasa. Si bu meste kes sirvisu la, kontata-nu pa email isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov ó pa telefóni, pa númeru 617-635-5300
- Arabic - العربية
خدمات الترجمة الشفوية والتحريرية والتسهيلات لذوي الإعاقة متوفرة لك دون تحملك أي تكلفة. إذا احتجت لهذه الخدمات، يرجى التواصل معنا على البريد الألكتروني isd@boston.gov ،(LCA@boston.gov)، أو على رقم الهاتف 6176355300
- Haitian Creole -Kreyòl ayisyen: Sèvis entèpretasyon, tradiksyon, ak sèvis akomodasyon pou andikape disponib pou ou gratis. Si w bezwen sèvis sa yo, tanpri kontakte nou nan isd@boston.gov LCA@boston.gov oswa 617-635-5300
- Traditional Chinese - 繁體中文: 我們可以為您提供免費的口譯, 筆譯, 和殘疾人士合理照顧服務。如有需要，請與我們連絡，發電子郵件至 isd@boston.gov LCA@boston.gov 或致電 617-635-5300
- Russian -Русский: Услуги устного и письменного перевода и по приспособлению инвалидов предоставляются бесплатно. Если Вам они нужны, просьба связаться с нами по адресу электронной почты isd@boston.gov LCA@boston.gov либо по телефону 617-635-0708
- Portuguese - Português: Disponibilizamos serviços de tradução e interpretação e adaptações especiais para pessoas com deficiências gratuitamente. Para solicitar, envie email para isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov ou ligue para 617-635-0708
- Vietnamese - Tiếng Việt: Các dịch vụ thông dịch, dịch thuật và hỗ trợ người khuyết tật được cung cấp miễn phí cho bạn. Nếu bạn cần họ, vui lòng liên lạc với chúng tôi theo địa chỉ isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov hoặc 617-635-5300
- Simplified Chinese - 简体中文: 我们可以为您提供免费的口译, 笔译, 和残疾人士合理照顾服务。如有需要，请与我们联系, 发电子邮件 isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov 或致电 617-635-5300
- Cabo Verdean Creole - kriolu: Nu ta oferese-bu sirvisus di interpretason, traduson y sirvisus di komodason pa gentis ku difisénsia di grasa. Si bu meste kes sirvisu la, kontata-nu pa email isd@boston.gov, LCA@boston.gov ó pa telefóni, pa númeru 617-635-5300
-
Have questions? Contact:
Inspectional Services -
1010 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE
5TH FLOOR
BOSTON , MA 02118 -
Register a rental property
If you own a rental property, you must register it with the City of Boston each year.
