Housing Compliance and Asset Management

Can someone on your staff help me find affordable housing in Boston for myself or my household?

HCAM does not provide individualized assistance to people seeking housing, but does offer workshops with tips on how to search. 

If you are facing an immediate housing crisis, the Office of Housing Stability may be able to help.

There are several agencies that work on affordable housing issues in the Boston area, and some of these programs may have staff available to provide personalized help. Please visit our More Housing Resources Page for more information. 

How do I sign up for e-mail notifications for upcoming lotteries?

You can sign up on the Metrolist page.

How do I find out about the resale of affordable condominiums?

The resale of an existing affordable/income restricted condominium is handled directly by the seller and/or their agent. Please contact the seller or the seller's realtor/listing agent directly with any questions about the unit, including questions about income eligibility determinations.

How do I find out about existing affordable rentals?

When a tenant leaves an existing affordable/income restricted rental unit, the owner and/or manager of the building must submit the rental listing to Metrolist as part of their effort to find a new renter.

However, the owner/manager is not required to hold another lottery to fill the vacant unit. Some owner/managers keep a waiting list and/or a contact list to notify people when a rental unit becomes available. 

How long will it take for me to get a condo or apartment?

The application, lottery, and eligibility certification process can take several months to be completed.

Units become available as new developments are completed and when there is turn-over in existing properties. Because of this, there may not be a unit available for the specific time you need a place to live.

Is there a general application? I want to submit my information for consideration.

No, each property’s owner/developer is responsible for marketing available units at that property. This process typically is handled by designated leasing or sales agents, and our staff works directly with agents to provide training and materials. Only applications that have been prescreened for eligibility by an owner/developer or agent may be submitted to Inclusionary Housing Compliance for certification of eligibility.

Who oversees the lottery to make sure it is fair for everyone?

The Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Program, which is part of the Mayor’s Office of Housing, oversees the lottery process to ensure that it is run fairly and properly. 

Please contact affirmativemarketing@boston.gov for more information.

Will I be notified when the lottery is going to occur?

Once you have submitted an application, you will be notified by the marketing agent of the lottery date.

Lotteries are conducted by the Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Program and the results are posted here.

A property may receive hundreds of applicants. If you meet one or more preferences and are randomly assigned a low log number, then your chance of being contacted soon after the lottery may be high. If not, then there is a possibility that the units will be filled before they get to your number. In some cases, those at the top of the list are deemed ineligible or chose not to take the unit. In those cases, you may be contacted several months after the lottery.

When I obtain an application from the marketing agent, does that enter me into all future Inclusionary Housing lotteries?

No. Applicants must obtain a new application for each lottery that they would like to participate in.

I have a question about the affordable housing application, what do I do?

All questions regarding affordable housing applications should be directed to the property or their marketing agent.

I missed the lottery application date. How can I get an application?

Unfortunately, if you miss the application date, you cannot apply. Deadlines are enforced to ensure that the application process is fair to everyone.

How can I figure out if I am eligible to rent or purchase a home?

Your eligibility depends on whether you meet the requirements of a specific unit when it becomes available. Income and asset requirements vary from project to project, and often from unit to unit within a single project. In other words, a household could be eligible for one unit but ineligible for a different unit in the same building. Marketing information for each new development contains income limits for the units at that property.

For units that have been previously sold or leased, you must contact the unit’s seller or leasing agent to ask if any available units match your household’s qualifications. When a unit is available, the seller/agent distributes paperwork, prescreens households for eligibility, and submits a completed application file to Inclusionary Housing Compliance for review.

If you are approved, a Certificate of Eligibility that states you meet eligibility requirements for the Inclusionary Housing Program. This certificate applies only to program eligibility.  Landlords, lenders, and other programs that provide assistance with purchasing units may have different or additional requirements with regard to signing a lease and/or purchasing a home.

Income guidelines are based on federally set measures of income referred to as “Area Median Income” or “AMI.” Each Inclusionary unit has a designated AMI level that does not change. The Income, Asset, and Price Limits page contains information on the AMI figures currently in effect. Income limits are indexed to household size, while sale and rent prices are indexed to the number of bedrooms in a unit.

Also see our FAQs related to Eligibility and Certification for general program rules.

The prices or rents listed on the web site or for a specific development are too high for me. How can this be called affordable housing?

The term "affordable housing" is a relative term. For some, the purchase prices or rents of the units are more than they can afford, but for others, these prices or rents are affordable, and provide an opportunity to live in Boston that they otherwise may not have had. We often try to refer to this housing as income-restricted because while it may not be subjectively affordable, it is only available to households at or below certain, specific incomes (see Income, Asset, and Price Limits page). 

Most Inclusionary Housing units were secured from developers without any public subsidies, and are geared towards moderate and middle income households. A number of developers (mostly non-profits) are using public subsidies to create units that are affordable to households with lower incomes. The purchase prices and rents of these units are generally lower. For other affordable housing options geared towards different income levels, please visit the More Housing Resources Page.

I am looking to purchase a house through an affordable program. Do you have any single family homes available in the Inclusionary Housing Portfolio?

There are no single family homes in the Inclusionary Housing portfolio. Almost all homeownership opportunities in the portfolio are condominiums, with a very small number of existing non-condominium townhouses.

The Boston Home Center does have a small number of single-family homes available for purchase to income-eligible buyers. Those homes are posted on the Metrolist, and you can learn more about the program here. 

Can someone email me when applications become available?

If you sign up to receive the Metrolist weekly email, you'll be aware of what new properties are accepting applications. 

How does the lottery work?

Each lottery is overseen by the Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Program, which is part of the Mayor’s Office of Housing. All applicants are randomly selected and a lottery list is created and sorted by preferences. You can learn more about the preferences here.

What are the preferences in the lottery?

Preferences are awarded in the lottery and may move households up or down on the lottery list. The three most common preferences in the lottery are Boston resident preference, household size of at least one person per bedroom, and a first-time homebuyer preference (for homeownership units). More details on the preferences and the order of lottery preferences can be found on the Lottery Preferences page.

I purchased a home many years ago, but haven’t owned in a long time. Am I considered a first-time homebuyer?

For purposes of the Inclusionary Housing program, a first-time homebuyer is: “a buyer who has never owned a residential property.” Lending institutions may have a different definition of a first-time homebuyer for first-time homebuyer mortgage products.

How do I find out the lottery results?

Lottery results are posted here.

I was selected from a housing lottery list. Do I automatically get an affordable unit?

No. Applicants selected in the lottery process must still go through an eligibility screening before they will have the opportunity to buy or rent a unit. The marketing agent handling the lottery and eligibility screening must obtain financial documents from the applicant and review for eligibility, and finally send the applicant file to Inclusionary Housing Compliance for review. This review usually takes 1 to 2 weeks after receipt of a complete file from the marketing agent. For further questions on eligibility, see the eligibility section, below.

I am trying to participate in a lottery, but the marketing agent is not answering my questions and is unresponsive. What do I do?

If a marketing agent is unresponsive or is not answering your questions, please contact affirmativemarketing@boston.gov for assistance. You may also consider contacting the developer directly.

If you believe the agent’s actions are discriminatory, you should contact the City of Boston Office of Fair Housing and Equity to file a complaint at fairhousing@Boston.gov or 617.635.4408.

What do the different percentages (70%, 80%, 100%, etc.) listed on the Income Limit Chart mean?

The income percentages list the maximum amount of income a household can receive and still be eligible for the Inclusionary Housing program.  These amounts are referred to Area Median Income or AMI. AMIs are based on incomes published annually by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) for the Greater Boston area. 

All units are designated to a particular income percentage category when they are constructed. For instance, in a development with ten affordable units, five of them may be designated at the 80% level, three at 100% and two at 120%. The affordability designations are permanent and specific to each unit and do not change. On an annual basis the income limits, sales and rental prices may change for each income category. Individuals who find that they are not income eligible for the 80% category may be eligible for a 100% or 120% income unit. Applicants are encouraged to contact the marketing agent or leasing office for the development they are interested in to inquire about availability in each income category.

How is my income calculated?

The household income is calculated based on the estimated annual gross income of the household (i.e. before tax) of all income sources received by each household member over 18. Gross income includes wages, bonuses, commissions, income from gig work like driving for DoorDash or Uber, cash benefits, and most gifts received by the household. 

I didn't file taxes last year. What do I need to provide?

• Any household members who did not file taxes must provide verification of non-filing from the IRS in lieu of the tax returns and any 1099 or W2 forms. Applicants may request tax return copies or verifications of non-filing by calling the IRS directly or by submitting Form 4506-T to the IRS. See irs.individuals/get-transcript for instructions.
• Applicants who cannot provide proof of non-filing due to immigration status should contact their agent, who can contact Housing Compliance to determine if there are alternative equivalent proofs of income. Please note that the City of Boston prohibits discrimination based on national origin.

My child has a part-time job after school. Does this affect our application?

Income from household members under the age of 18 is not counted towards the household's income for qualification purposes. 

Are student loans considered income?

Student loans are not considered income and may not be used to income qualify.

I am separated from my spouse, does this affect my application?

Legally married couples are both considered part of the household, even if separated. If the separation is due to domestic violence this policy may be waived. Please speak with the marketing agent/seller if you have additional questions regarding this policy in general, or want to know how to apply for a waiver based on domestic violence waiver.

I am a single-person household, can I apply for a two bedroom unit?

Yes. Single-person households may apply for two bedroom affordable units, but will be ranked beneath households with at least one person per bedroom on the lottery list. In order to maximize your chances in the lottery, single person households are encouraged to apply for one bedroom units. Minimum household size requirements may also apply post-lottery when units are resold or released. 

I live out of state but recently got a job offer in or near Boston. Can I apply for a unit?

Inclusionary Housing is intended primarily to preserve income-restricted housing opportunities for longstanding local residents and those who intend to make Boston their permanent home. Additionally, eligibility under our program is determined by calculating a household's estimated annual gross income on the basis of their current earnings. All applicants generally are required to provide their two most recent consecutive paystubs; however, an applicant who is relocating from out of state may provide an offer letter along with a single first complete paystub (i.e. a pay stub for a complete pay period) in lieu of the two paystubs which are usually required. An offer letter with no accompanying paystub is not sufficient to establish eligibility and will not be accepted.

Are students eligible for Inclusionary Housing rental units?

Inclusionary Housing preserves access to income-restricted housing opportunities for by established Boston residents and households intending to establish permanent residency in the City. To further these goals, and in light of existing options provided exclusively to post-secondary students by local colleges and universities, Inclusionary Housing rental units are made available to students on a limited basis only.

A full-time student enrolled in a post-secondary educational program is not eligible for an Inclusionary Housing rental unit unless the student:

• is a co-applicant with at least one household member who is not a full-time post-secondary student, and all household members intend to occupy the unit as their primary residence;
• is already an authorized current occupant of the unit in question at the time of full-time post- secondary school enrollment;
• is employed full-time;
• receives non-employment income primarily or solely from government benefits programs (e.g. SSI, SSDI, TANF, EAEDC, or similar); or
• has a subsidized housing voucher on which all co-applicants (if applicable) are listed as authorized residents, and all applicant household members intend to occupy the unit as their primary residence.

Students enrolled in a post-secondary educational program on a full-time basis during the regular academic year will be considered full-time students regardless of any part-time enrollment during optional terms such as winter break or summer sessions.

Can I still apply if someone in my household is not a US citizen?

If you are applying to lease an Inclusionary Housing rental unit, citizenship or immigration status is not relevant to your household's eligibility. Non-citizens may apply regardless of residency status.

If you are applying to purchase an Inclusionary Housing ownership unit, proof of long- term legal residency in the United States is required. Homeownership applicants are subject to the documentation requirements outlined in the City of Boston's policy on Verification of United States Residency for applicants to the Boston Home Center. Click here to see the policy. Note: required documentation is described in the policy's sections numbered one (1) and two (2). Mortgage financing approval alone, as described in section three (3) of the City's policy, is not sufficient to establish eligibility to purchase an Inclusionary Housing unit.

I live in or am moving to Massachusetts but I work remotely for an employer outside of the greater Boston area, am I still eligible to apply for an Inclusionary Housing unit?

Yes. As noted above, the Inclusionary Housing program is intended primarily to preserve income-restricted housing opportunities for established Boston residents and those who intend to make Boston their permanent home, including those who permanently work remotely for employers outside of the greater Boston area. Applicants who work remotely must provide a letter from their employer stating that the remote work is intended to continue indefinitely in addition to providing the two most recent, consecutive paystubs from the remote employer.

I have a rental voucher (e.g., Section 8, Housing Choice, VASH, or MRVP). Can I apply for an Inclusionary Housing unit?

Yes, voucher holders are encouraged to apply for Inclusionary Housing units. Voucher-holders must still meet the eligibility requirements of Inclusionary Housing, in addition to any requirements imposed by the agency that issued the voucher. Additionally, the unit must meet the standards set by HUD and/or the State of Massachusetts, as well as the agency managing their voucher.

Will my housing voucher be counted as income for the purposes of determining eligibility for an income-restricted Inclusionary Housing rental unit?

The value of a housing voucher is counted toward the ability to pay rent, not counted as income. A housing voucher holder does not need to meet regular minimum income guidelines.

I've heard that there is an asset cap. What is the cap?

There are three categories of asset limits that apply to initial eligibility:

• The limit for households applying to units at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) is $75,000.
• The limit for households applying to units above 80 percent of the AMI is $100,000.
• The limit for households where all household members are age 65 or older is up to $250,000 (including all retirement and exempt accounts).
• The limit for households where all income consists solely of retirement and/or disability benefits is up to $250,000 (including all retirement and exempt accounts).

I was informed that I am not eligible to reside in an Inclusionary Housing unit. Can I request that my application be reexamined?

Yes. There are different appeals pathways depending on the stage of the process at which you were found ineligible:

1. If the marketing agent who did the initial screening of your application for the property found that you were ineligible, you have 10 business days to request an Appeals Hearing from them. A link to the property appeals form is included in the property ineligibility letter. More information about appealing this decision can be found in the Fair Housing Marketing and Tenant Selection Handbook.
2. If Inclusionary Housing Compliance found that you were ineligible you may request that your application be reexamined by completing the form available here. You must make this request within 10 business days of the date on your Ineligibility Letter. If you are unable to complete the form on your own, please call 617-918-4306 for help requesting a re-examination of your application.

If you believe you have been discriminated against in seeking housing, please contact the Boston Fair Housing Commission at 617-635-2500 or online by completing the form available here.

I work for the City of Boston, or someone in my family does. Can I still apply?

Yes. If you or an immediate family member is currently an employee of the City of Boston or has been within the last 12 months, you may apply, but please note the employee must fill out a Disclosure of Appearance of Conflict of Interest form. This form must be filed with the City Clerk’s Office, which will give you proof of filing. You must submit both a copy of the form and the proof of filing with your application.

The form can be downloaded here, and additional instructions are here. Note: clicking on the form link will not open a new window displaying the document; it will download the document directly to your computer. Check your downloads folder.

Please also note this form is not needed to participate in a housing lottery. It is required only after an applicant has been selected (via lottery or releasing of existing units, or as the buyer of a resale property) to move forward with the income certification process.

What does "immediate family member" mean?

"Immediate family" is defined as it is in the Massachusetts Conflict of Interest Law (M.G.L. c. 268A) and means an applicant's spouse and their parents, children, or siblings.

Can employees of the Mayor’s Office of housing or their immediate family members be found eligible to live in a property that is monitored by the Mayor’s Office of Housing?

Employees of the Mayor’s Office of Housing are not eligible to rent or purchase property that is monitored by the Mayor’s Office of Housing.

I work for a company that owns or manages a building with affordable units, or my family member does. Can I apply?

You cannot buy or rent an Inclusionary unit in a building owned or managed by a company that you work for or that an immediate family member works for. This applies to employees as well as agents.

An exception to this policy may apply for employees whose job duties do not include participation in any of the owner’s responsibilities under the restriction including, but not limited to, the following activities: leasing, advertising, and/or marketing of the Inclusionary Housing units; household eligibility certifications and/or re-certifications; billing or collection of rents and fees charged to tenants; and other management or service functions directly related to the administration of the Inclusionary Housing units. To request an exception, applicants can email Inclusionary Housing Compliance at mohhousingcompliance@boston.gov or by calling us at 617-918-4306. Requests must include supporting documentation from the employer verifying the scope of the applicant employee’s current job responsibilities; if the applicant is approved, updated supporting documentation must be provided thereafter annually prior to renewal.

What can I expect as an owner or renter of a unit in this program?

For frequently asked questions related to living in a unit, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions for Existing Tenants and Owners.

Can I receive a monetary gift for the purchase of an affordable home?

Yes, Inclusionary Housing applicants may receive monetary gifts but all gifts are subject to the asset policy.

Can my family or friends co-sign a mortgage or loan me money for the purchase of an affordable home?

Co-signors and Guarantors of mortgages or any lending instrument are not permitted unless they are co-buyers of the unit who provide eligibility documentation. In addition, the buyer must obtain arms-length financing. This means that the buyer may not borrow from a friend, family member, or private source. A bank or mortgage company must be used.

Where can I get a mortgage? Are there certain banks that are better than others?

There is no program requirement to use a specific lender. However, certain banks in the Boston area are more familiar with affordable housing programs than others. Ask your lender if they are familiar with the Inclusionary Housing program (which they may know as the IDP program).

In addition, you may qualify for a first-time homebuyer program offered through the Boston Home Center, which maintains a list of Approved Lenders who provide specialized mortgage products and are familiar with income-restricted/affordable units.

Am I eligible for down payment assistance?

Depending on your income, you may be eligible to receive down payment assistance through the Boston Home Center. Applicants must complete a first-time homebuyer class to qualify. To register for one of these classes, visit the website or call 617-635-4663.

Do I need to hire an attorney?

We recommend prospective buyers hire a closing attorney to review all documents and represent the buyer’s interests at closing. Often, the bank or lending institution will have an attorney at the closing who will act on the buyer’s behalf at the closing, but it is still useful for you to have your own attorney.

What is a “Homestead” and how do I get it?

A Declaration of Homestead protects up to the first $500,000 of your home value from seizure and attachments related to non-mortgage debts. Owner-occupant homeowners can file a Declaration of Homestead with the state. Your attorney (or your mortgage lender’s attorney) can file this for you when you purchase the home. For more information, go to the website for the Massachusetts Secretary of State.

Can a friend or family member co-sign a lease?

No, cosigners and guarantors on a lease are not permitted. Guarantors include persons who are not members of the applicant household but who agree to pay your rent or other expenses if you are not able to. 

I applied for an Inclusionary Housing apartment, but the leasing agent said my income was too low. Why?

Most of the units in our program only have maximum income limits. A small number of units have maximum and minimum income limits set by the Inclusionary Housing program.  Additionally, most households that would pay more than 50% of their income in rent will not be found eligible for the Inclusionary Housing program.

Please note that many developments set their own minimum-income standards for tenants. For example, a landlord may require that no more than 40% of a household's income go towards their rent. Rules like this are permissible as long as they are applicable to all tenants in the building. The leasing agent must, however, take into account a rental voucher such as a Housing Choice/Section 8 voucher or an MRVP voucher in determining a household’s ability to pay the rent.

I have a rental voucher (e.g., Section 8, Housing Choice, VASH, or MRVP). Can I apply for an Inclusionary Housing unit?

Yes, voucher holders are encouraged to apply for Inclusionary Housing rental units. Voucher-holders must still meet program eligibility requirements independent of any requirements imposed by the voucher-issuing agency. Additionally, the apartment must meet the standards set by HUD and/or the State of Massachusetts, as well as the agency managing your voucher.

How long is my lease?

The lease term for an Inclusionary Housing apartment must be for one year. 

How much will my rent change each year?

Landlords can increase your rent once per year, and cannot exceed the maximum rent allowed for a unit of your size and at the maximum Area Median Income established for your unit. Rents are generally revised once a year in the late spring or early summer and can be found on the web page on income, rent, and sales price limits. The amount your rent will change varies from year to year, and depends on changes in the Area Median Income, not overall inflation or changes in the rents of unrestricted/market rate units.

How long can I stay in the unit? If I get a promotion or make more money after I rent the unit, will I have to move out?

You must recertify your eligibility annually to remain in your Inclusionary Housing unit, after the first lease term. Each year, your landlord must collect updated income and asset documents from all members of your household - just like when you originally applied for the unit. The landlord then determines whether your household is still eligible to occupy the unit and if so, may renew your lease, if appropriate. Typically the recertification takes place 60-90 days prior to lease end.

Many households' incomes increase while living in Inclusionary Housing units, and in some cases these increases may put a household over the unit's initial maximum income limit. Program guidelines allow for moderate increases while still preserving the units for middle-income households. In most Inclusionary Housing apartments, you can remain eligible as long as your income does not exceed a "renewal limit" which is set at the Area Median Income (AMI) 40 percentage points higher than the initial maximum AMI. For example, if you live in a unit designated at 70% AMI, your household income may grow until it surpasses 110% of AMI before you become ineligible for the unit. Restrictions vary depending on the specific building, however, so your specific renewal limit may be different. Check with your landlord if you have questions. Note that assets information is reviewed at renewal but there is no asset cap at recertification.

Once your household's income exceeds the renewal limit, the landlord is no longer authorized to renew your lease. You will be required to vacate at the end of your lease term so your landlord can re-rent the apartment to a new eligible household. Landlords can also terminate tenancy or decline to renew only for good cause such as non-payment of rent or violation of lease terms and/or building rules.  A household's failure to provide annual recertification information means they cannot be recertified as eligible; this will result in non-renewal of the lease, at minimum, and may render the household ineligible for Inclusionary Housing units in the future.

What happens if my household composition changes?

In Inclusionary Housing rental units, eligibility is specific to each household: only individuals named in the original application may occupy the unit. Any tenant wishing to add a new occupant (whether as an additional roommate or to replace a departing current roommate) must be certified by Inclusionary Housing Compliance as a new household *before* the new person can be permitted to move in. The only exception to this policy is for children under the age of 18 born to or adopted by previously-certified household members.

If you anticipate any changes to who occupies your Inclusionary Housing unit, please contact your building’s leasing agent well in advance to begin the eligibility certification process. Unauthorized household members are strictly prohibited.

Failing to to certify any new occupant in an Inclusionary Housing unit may result in your household and/or the new occupant’s ineligibility for the Inclusionary Housing program.  Additionally, allowing a person not named in a lease to reside in your unit may constitute a good cause violation which may result in termination of tenancy and/or lease non-renewal.

Can I rent out or sublease the apartment? What about Airbnb?

No. Tenants are not permitted to rent or sublease Inclusionary Housing units for any length of time, including through short-term rental services such as AirBNB. Only certified members of eligible households may occupy these units.

How can I make a report about someone renting out an Inclusionary Housing unit improperly?

Neighbors, property managers or other individuals can notify us by email at mohhousingcompliance@boston.gov or by phone at 617-918-4306 that the resident of an income restricted/affordable unit is renting out or otherwise not occupying their unit. All correspondence will be kept strictly confidential and Inclusionary Housing Compliance will investigate the claim. 

What happens if I violate the restrictions on my unit?

Individuals who are alleged to have violated the terms of their restrictions (rent out unit, etc.) will be investigated by Inclusionary Housing Compliance. If a violation is found, action will be taken to bring the unit back into compliance with the program. This may include eviction proceedings for rental units.

Where can I find the documents I need?

Right here! More information about these documents can be found in the FAQs and answers below.

• Income, Rent, and Price Limits
• Annual Lease Renewal and Income Verification (For Property Managers and Leasing Offices of affordable units)
• Application Submissions Form (For Property Managers and Leasing Offices of affordable units)
• Affidavit of Eligibility (Rentals Only) & Lease Addendums

How do I certify the income of a new tenant?

Each household applying for an income restricted unit must complete an Affidavit of Eligibility. The building manager or leasing agent must collect the affidavit, along with any supporting documents, and send it to Inclusionary Housing Compliance for review. You may submit documents by filling out this form. If the certification package is not complete, delays in processing will occur.

What kind of tenant screening am I allowed to complete?

You are not prohibited from using credit histories, criminal record histories (CORI), and other standard tenant selection screening processes when filling an income-restricted unit. However, these screening processes must be applied equally to all prospective tenants, whether they are in a market-rate or an income-restricted unit. For further details please see the Boston Fair Chance Tenant Selection Policy.

Can I set a minimum income limit for a unit?

Most of the units in our program only have maximum income limits. You can set your own minimum-income standard for tenants provided that the standard applies to all tenants in the building. A landlord may require that no more than 1/2 of a household's income go towards their rent, for example. Additionally, the leasing agent must take into account a rental voucher such as Section 8 or MRVP in determining a household’s ability to pay the rent.

Are there special rules for tenants in Inclusionary Housing units?

In general, landlords may require tenants in income-restricted units to follow the same rules and policies as tenants in market-rate units. The main difference is that income-restricted units are subject to Inclusionary Housing rent and income limits. There are some additional exceptions, however. For example, leases for Inclusionary Housing units must require tenants to provide documentation needed to establish continued eligibility prior to lease renewal.

Landlords must give no less than 30 days' notice prior to a proposed termination date in almost all circumstances, including for non-payment of rent. Additional rules may apply depending on the Inclusionary Housing restrictions on a particular building. If you have questions about whether a policy is permissible, please contact Inclusionary Housing Compliance.

Once initial marketing is completed, must I keep a waiting list?

While you are not required to maintain a wait list, it is advised. For most managers, the initial lottery list serves as the start of that wait list. Having such a list will shorten the time it takes to identify a new tenant when a vacancy becomes available.

How often must I recertify tenant incomes?

Annually, the landlord must recertify the incomes for each household and submit a report to Inclusionary Housing Compliance with an update on existing tenants. The recertification should be completed before renewing the tenant’s lease. Usually the tenant’s income can be greater upon renewal than the initial maximum income limit, as most Inclusionary Housing units allow an existing household's income to increase to an Area Median Income (AMI) up to 40 percentage points higher than the initial maximum AMI. For example, if the initial maximum AMI was set at 70% of AMI, the tenant’s income could grow until it surpasses 110% of AMI. At this time, you would not be able to renew the tenant’s lease, and must re-rent the apartment to an eligible household. Please check the Affordable Rental Housing Agreement and Restriction for details.

When am I allowed to increase the rent, and by how much?

Landlords can increase the rent once per year, and cannot exceed the maximum rent allowed for a unit size (by bedroom count) and at the maximum Area Median Income established for the unit. The BPDA revises the rents once a year, generally in  last spring or early summer, and can be found at the City’s web page on income, rent, and sales price limits. The amount the maximum rent will change varies from year to year, and depends on changes in the Area Median Income, not overall inflation or changes in the rents of unrestricted/market rate units.

What happens if who lives in an income restricted unit changes?

In Inclusionary Housing rental units, eligibility is specific to each household. Before making any changes to the household (adding or removing someone, replacing a current roommate with a new person, etc.), the tenants must first be approved as eligible as if they were a new applicant. Exceptions to this policy are circumstances when a child under 18 is added to the household, such as through the birth of a child.

A tenant is renting out their unit. What do I do? Can I notify Inclusionary Housing?

Yes, if you have reason to believe that a resident of an income restricted/affordable unit is renting out their unit you can email mohhousingcompliance@boston.gov to let us know. Renters of such units must live in the unit as their primary residence unless they have been given a temporary waiver. All correspondence will be kept strictly confidential. Renting out a unit, without permission, is a violation of Inclusionary Housing rules.

Can I evict a tenant “for cause”?

Individuals who violate the terms of their lease may be evicted, following the rules and regulations established for all rental units by the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Owners are strongly encouraged to reach out to Inclusionary Housing Compliance at mohhousingcompliance@boston.gov before initiating any termination of tenancy and/or eviction action.  

• For general assistance and information about services that may be available to assist the tenant or address a landlord/tenant problem, visit the Office of Housing Stability.
• The Tenancy Preservation Program (TPP) works with tenants, including families with children with disabilities, facing eviction as a result of behavior related to a disability (e.g. mental illness, mental retardation, substance abuse, aging related impairments). TPP functions as a neutral party to the landlord and tenant. In consultation with the Housing Court Department, TPP works with the property owner and tenant to determine whether the disability can be reasonably accommodated and the tenancy preserved.