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Español · Rental law by city · Where we cover

Boston · Tenant screening

Can they turn me down for a housing voucher in Boston?

No. Vouchers count as income.

Turning you down for a voucher is illegal.

Why, and the exact law
From the City of Boston, read Oct 1, 2026.
Show the law

“The landlord tells you they don't accept rental assistance. This includes Section 8 vouchers, social security disability vouchers, and veterans vouchers …”

Boston Fair Housing Regulations (Boston Fair Housing Commission) · boston.gov · found word for word in the source

Applying? See all the limits

Who can help

  1. Ask the Boston Office of Housing StabilityFree counselors explain your options, by phone or in person.Boston Office of Housing Stability
  2. Get free legal helpIf your landlord won't fix it.MassLegalHelp
  3. Find a lawyerReferral service of the State Bar.Massachusetts Bar lawyer referral service
Every rule here, word for word (3)

State law applies here too. Where both cover a rental, the stricter city rule usually wins; each rule below says so.

Boston lawIn force

Boston fair housing protections (rental assistance / Section 8 vouchers)

Can they turn me down for a housing voucher?

No. Vouchers count as income.

Turning you down for a voucher is illegal.

The law, word for word

“The landlord tells you they don't accept rental assistance. This includes Section 8 vouchers, social security disability vouchers, and veterans vouchers …”

Boston Fair Housing Regulations (Boston Fair Housing Commission) · boston.gov · Retrieved Oct 1, 2026

Quote checked word for word

Massachusetts lawIn force

Fair housing law: ban on discrimination based on public assistance / housing subsidy

Can they turn me down for a housing voucher?

No. Vouchers count as income.

Turning you down for a voucher is illegal.

The law, word for word

“to discriminate against any individual who is a recipient of federal, state, or local public assistance, including medical assistance, or who is a tenant receiving federal, state, or local housing subsidies, including rental assistance or rental supplements …”

G.L. c. 151B, § 4 · malegislature.gov · Retrieved Oct 1, 2026

Quote checked word for word

Boston lawDepends on the building

Boston Fair Chance Tenant Selection Policy

City-funded housing: no old convictions or credit scores.

Depends on: property receives City (DND) funding or land, or has income-restricted units under the BPDA Inclusionary Development Policy.

Who it covers

  • Covers: Applies to housing providers receiving DND funding and/or land, or with income-restricted units created under the BPDA Inclusionary Development Policy.
  • Exemptions: Does not apply where a conviction has a direct relationship to the housing sought or poses unreasonable risk of substantial harm to others, or to current criminal behavior.
In force since
Feb 2017
The law, word for word

“will not impose a blanket policy that denies housing to anyone with arrests and or convictions. …”

Boston Fair Chance Tenant Selection Policy (DND, Feb. 2017) · drive.google.com · Retrieved Oct 1, 2026

Quote checked word for word

More about Boston

Rental law by cityWhat's changing in Boston

Information about the law, not legal advice.