Boston rental compliance guides

Boston generally requires rental properties to be registered with the City each year, with annual registration due by July 1. The requirement applies to rental housing, including properties that are vacant, being renovated, or rented without collecting rent, with narrow exclusions such as certain government-owned properties and lodging properties with a valid lodging license. Owner-occupied properties with six or fewer units still have to register, though they may be exempt from registration fees. The city currently lists a registration fee of $25 per unit for first-time registrations and $15 per unit for renewals, subject to its stated building and complex caps, and because municipal fees can change, the current schedule is worth confirming with Boston Inspectional Services before filing. Registration and inspection are separate obligations. The city states that registered rental properties are inspected at least once every five years, with the inspection process handled by Inspectional Services. If a property is selected, the owner receives a notice with instructions and deadlines, so the registration date and the inspection cycle are worth tracking as separate compliance records. The registration process asks for information about the property, the owner, the property manager or agent when applicable, unit counts, purchase date for certain newer acquisitions, building age, fire escapes, and whether the property has a smoke-free policy. Keeping these details current makes the annual renewal easier. Below are Tusk's plain-language guides to what's currently required.