City of Boston
Office of the Mayor
Thomas M. Menino
To the Citizens of the
City of Boston:
As mayor of Boston, I
want to ensure that
tenants and landlords
of residential rental
properties are treated
fairly and that safe sanitary housing is
available in all neighborhoods.
The Rental Inspection Program is an
effective way of ensuring that our
residential units are safe, sanitary and
respected by occupants during tenancy.
Please take the time to review this
brochure, and let us all do our part in
improving Boston’s housing stock and
quality of life.
Sincerely,
Thomas M. Menino
Mayor of Boston
Fees
Rental Inspection Fee
1-3-unit dwellings are $50.00 per unit.
4 unit dwellings and above are $75.00 per
unit.
5 Year Exemption From Turnover
Requirement Fees
$50 per unit for the first 4 units. $10 per
unit for each additional unit.
Maximum fees of $500 per building and
$1000 per complex.
Filing Fees
$25 filing fee for sworn statements from
Private Authorized Inspectors.
$50 NON REFUNDABLE
EXEMPTION APPLICATION FEE
Exemptions
• Dwellings with1 to 6 apartments, one
of which is occupied by the owner.
• Federal State or City Owned or
managed apartments.
• Apartments inspected, approved and
leased through the section 8 housing
choice voucher program.
• Apartments that have been
comprehensively inspected within the
past 12 month’s, where no violations
were observed.
BOSTON INSPECTIONAL
SERVICES
HOUSING DIVISION
RENTAL
INSPECTIONS
“We care about your home”
Mayor Thomas M.
Menino
City of Boston
William J. Good III, Commissioner
Dion S. Irish, Assistant Commissioner
Boston Inspectional Services
WHO BENEFITS
1. Landlords benefit:
A) Receiving guidance on housing
requirements & practices from
ISD housing professionals.
Effective 10/04 other authorized housing
professionals may also conduct
inspections.
B) Provided with a documented
record of the conditions of the
rental unit at the beginning of
tenancy.
C) Protection again