File a complaint against a landlord
Report an unresponsive or non-compliant landlord to the state or your local board of health.
When to use this
Use this when your landlord will not make repairs, is withholding your security deposit, or is otherwise violating your rights, and you want a government body on record. Written notice to your landlord first — and a copy kept for yourself — strengthens any complaint.
Steps
- 1Put your request to the landlord in writing (email or letter) and keep a dated copy.
- 2For habitability and repair problems, contact your city or town’s board of health / inspectional services to report the conditions.
- 3For deposit, fee, or unfair-practice disputes, file a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Consumer Advocacy & Response Division (CARD), or call the hotline at 617-727-8400.
- 4Keep copies of every complaint, response, and photo — you will need them if the matter goes further.
Legal basis
Massachusetts tenants are protected by the State Sanitary Code (105 CMR 410.000) and consumer-protection law (M.G.L. c. 93A). Local boards of health enforce housing conditions; the Attorney General handles consumer complaints.
Filing a complaint with the board of health or the Attorney General is free.
This is general information about how these processes work in Massachusetts — not legal advice, and not a guarantee of any outcome. Deadlines, fees, and procedures change and may differ by city or town. Confirm the details with the official sources linked on this page and, for advice about your situation, a licensed Massachusetts attorney.