Compliance · South Boston
Boston Rental Registration and Inspections: A Landlord's Guide
- Every rental unit in Boston must be registered with the City each year, with renewals due by July 1.
- Registration is $25 per unit the first year and $15 per unit to renew, with caps per building.
- Units are selected for an inspection at least once every five years. You have 30 days to respond.
- Missing the deadline carries a $300-per-month penalty, and the City doesn't send invoices.
Boston's Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance applies to nearly every rental in the city, including the two- and three-families that make up so much of South Boston. It's simple once it's on your calendar, and expensive when it isn't.
Who has to register
Every rental property in Boston has to be registered with the City's Inspectional Services Department, and the registration has to be renewed every year. The City's own guide notes that even owner-occupied buildings with six or fewer units must register, though they don't pay the registration fee and are exempt from the inspection requirement.
The main exemptions are properties owned by a government agency and licensed rooming or lodging houses. If you live outside Massachusetts, you'll also need to name a local agent when you register.
Deadlines and fees
| Item | What the City requires |
|---|---|
| Registration deadline | Renew every year by July 1 |
| First-time registration | $25 per unit |
| Annual renewal | $15 per unit |
| Fee caps | $2,500 per building, $5,000 per complex |
| Late or missing registration | $300 per property, per month, until it's filed |
One detail catches owners every year: the City doesn't send invoices. It's on you to remember the July 1 deadline. You register and pay online through the City's rental registration portal.
Talk to a local property managerWe track registrations, renewals and inspection notices for the buildings we manage. Tell us about your property.
Start your intakeHow the five-year inspection works
Every non-exempt rental unit is selected for a proactive inspection at least once every five years. When your unit is picked, you'll get a Notice of Selection and have 30 days to respond. According to the City's guide, you can:
- Request an inspection by an ISD housing inspector.
- Hire an ISD-authorized private inspector and file the report.
- Submit a passing inspection report from the Boston Housing Authority or Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership.
- Apply for the Five-Year Alternative Inspection Plan, available to owners with a good compliance history.
The City's guide lists inspection fees of $50 per unit for buildings with one to three units and $75 per unit for four or more. Check the current fee schedule when you get your notice.
How to prepare for an inspection
Inspections check that units meet the state and local housing codes. Before an inspector walks through, it's worth confirming the basics:
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed where required and working.
- Heat and hot water work properly, and the heating system has been serviced.
- Exits, stairs and railings are clear and secure, and windows open, close and lock.
- There's no sign of pests, leaks, mold or peeling paint.
- Electrical outlets, switches and fixtures work and have covers.
In older South Boston buildings, peeling paint deserves extra attention. If a child under six lives in the unit, the Massachusetts Lead Law adds its own requirements. See our guide to the lead law for South Boston rentals.
Put it on the calendar
- Register or renew every unit between January and July 1.
- Keep your owner contact details and local agent current with the City.
- Answer any Notice of Selection within 30 days.
- Do a pre-inspection walkthrough before the inspector arrives.
- Keep passing reports with your property records.
Quick answers
When is Boston rental registration due?
Boston rental registrations must be renewed every year by July 1. The City does not send invoices, so owners need to track the deadline.
How often are Boston rental units inspected?
Every non-exempt rental unit in Boston is selected for a proactive inspection at least once every five years. Owners have 30 days to respond to the Notice of Selection.
Sources
This article is general information for South Boston property owners, not legal or tax advice. Rules change, so confirm the current requirements with the agencies linked above or your attorney.