Tenants' Rights in Massachusetts: Private Housing

Below are chapters in the most recent 2008 edition of Legal Tactics: Tenants' Rights in Massachusetts. This handbook provides practical information about tenants' rights in private housing—housing that is owned by an individual or a privately owned company.

Reference is made in each chapter to sample letters and court forms. To get any of the forms listed in these chapters, go to  Self Help Forms.

If you live in public housing, go to the Public Housing section. You may also purchase Legal Tactics from Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education by calling 1-800-966-6253.

Useful Booklets and Forms

One of the most important steps you can take as a tenant is to put your concerns in writing. This may mean writing a letter, filing court papers, or putting together documents that help tenants organize. Below are a series of checklists, sample letters, and useful forms.