Help for Tenants Facing Eviction

If you’ve been threatened with eviction or already received an eviction notice, resources are available to help.

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Eviction is when a landlord has a tenant legally removed from their apartment.

Reasons you could be facing eviction:

Non-payment of rent
Violations of the lease agreement.
Tenancy at will: Eviction can occur if you don’t have a signed lease document with your landlord and pay month-to-month (tenancy at will), in which case a landlord can pursue eviction even if your rent is fully paid and you haven’t done anything wrong.

Mayor's Office of Housing

Housing Stability
617-635-4200
2 CENTER PLAZA

BOSTON, MA 02108

MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 9 A.M. - 5 P.M.

Eviction Help is available

The Office of Housing Stability's Housing Crisis Case Coordinators can help you deal with the eviction process. They may also be able to help you get legal, financial, or other help. Call 617-635-4200 or email housingstability@boston.gov

office of Housing Stability

Some legal services groups hold clinics or offer free legal help. They may be able to help you fill out forms, file motions, or negotiate a resolution. We have more information about legal resources.

More information about legal resources

If you haven’t yet received an eviction notice

TALK TO YOUR LANDLORD

Behind on the rent? Talk to your landlord about creating a repayment plan.
Did you break the terms of your lease? Explain to your landlord how you plan to resolve it.
Is your landlord proposing a rent increase you can’t afford? Ask if they will take a smaller increase. You should also ask for a lease so that your rent will not increase again during the lease period.
If your landlord is selling or renovating? Try to negotiate an agreement that gives you enough time and resources to move out.

KEEP COPIES OF IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Your lease agreement and any addendum
Rent receipts
Security deposit receipts
written communications with your landlord

If you’ve already received an eviction notice

The eviction process begins when a landlord serves you a legal document called a Notice to Quit (Eviction Notice). For more detailed information on how to legally respond to an eviction notice, and the possible court proceedings, visit our eviction process overview page.

Learn about the eviction process