LandlordDates
Not legal advice. This is a free reference compiled from official government sources. Laws change and local details matter. Confirm every deadline with the official source or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.

Last verified: · Confidence: medium

Boston, MA landlord deadlines

City rules for Boston, which add to Massachusetts statewide rules and federal rules. Official site: boston.gov.

Build a dated calendar for Boston

Local rules (Boston)

Annual rental registration with ISD by July 1 Verified

Deadline: Every year by July 1

Register every Boston rental property with Inspectional Services each year by July 1 and pay the per-unit fee; late registration can draw a $300-per-month penalty.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Boston, MA · Topic: Rental registration and licensing

Who it covers: All rental properties. Owner-occupied buildings with six or fewer units must still register annually (the city's trifold says they are exempt from fees/inspections; that text extracted poorly and is not quoted). Fees: $25/unit first-time, $15/unit renewal; max $2,500/building or $5,000/complex.

"You must register your rental property every year. The deadline to register is July 1."
boston.gov
"$15 for each unit for renewal registrations."
boston.gov
"If you don't register and pay the fee by the deadline, we may charge you a penalty of $300 each month until you do."
boston.gov

Notes: Boston Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance. Adds to MA state law (no statewide registry).

Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction

Periodic rental inspection at least once every five years Verified

Deadline: Every 5 years from the last inspection

Non-exempt rental properties are selected for a city rental inspection once every five years; you'll get a notice by mail when selected.

Applies to: any number of units, some owner-occupied buildings exempt · Layer: Boston, MA · Topic: Rental inspections and certificates

Who it covers: Exempt: buildings with six or fewer units where the owner lives in one unit; government-owned; licensed lodging houses. Vacant units are NOT exempt. Owners can use a city inspector ($50/unit for 1-3 unit buildings, $75/unit for 4+) or an authorized inspector ($15 filing fee per report).

"If you have a rental property in Boston, you will be selected for a rental inspection once every five years."
boston.gov
"buildings that have six or fewer units with the property owner living in one of the units"
boston.gov

Notes: Exact due date is set by the city's notice, not a fixed calendar date.

Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction

Massachusetts statewide rules that also apply

Massachusetts statewide rules
RuleDeadlineConfidence
Return deposit (with interest) within 30 days after tenancy ends; sworn itemized damages listWithin 30 days after move-outhigh
Bank receipt (bank name/location, amount, account number) within 30 days of depositWithin 30 days after the lease startshigh
Signed receipt for security deposit at the time it is receivedAt the time the security deposit is receivedhigh
Statement of condition of premises within 10 days of tenancy start (if deposit taken)Within 10 days after the lease startshigh
Annual deposit interest (5% or bank rate) and statement at end of each tenancy yearEach year on the lease anniversaryhigh
Interest and annual statement on prepaid last month's rentEach year on the lease anniversaryhigh
Check city/town for rental registration or pre-rental inspection (smoke/CO)Ongoing requirement with no fixed datemedium
Delead or contain lead hazards when a child under 6 lives in the unitWhen a child under 6 resides in the unit (new owners: within 90 days of change of ownership)high
Tenant Lead Law Notification and lead records before renting (pre-1978)Prior to entering into a tenancy agreementhigh
Rent increase for tenant at will uses the same termination-notice periodAt least 30 days before the rent increase takes effectmedium
Notice to end (or change terms of) a tenancy at will: rental period or 30 days, whichever is longerAt least one full rental period or 30 days before the tenancy ends, whichever is longer (dated 31 days ahead to cover a full monthly rent period; three months' notice if rent is paid less often than every three months)high
Entry by advance arrangement for listed purposes (no fixed notice period)Ongoing requirement with no fixed datehigh

Federal rules that also apply

Federal rules (all states)
RuleDeadlineConfidence
Lead-based paint disclosure and EPA pamphlet before lease signing (pre-1978 housing)Before the tenant is obligated under the lease (before signing / before accepting an offer to lease)high
Signed lead disclosure attachment with lease; keep for 3 yearsKeep the signed disclosure for at least 3 years from the lease start; the date shown is the earliest you may discard ithigh
Report rental income/expenses on Schedule E with Form 1040Due April 15, 2027 with your 2026 Form 1040; if that falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the next business daymedium
2026 estimated tax payment #1 due April 15, 2026Due April 15, 2026high
2026 estimated tax payment #2 due June 15, 2026Due June 15, 2026high
2026 estimated tax payment #3 due Sept. 15, 2026Due September 15, 2026high
2026 estimated tax payment #4 due Jan. 15, 2027Due January 15, 2027high
File and furnish Form 1099-NEC for 2026 contractor payments of $2,000+Due January 31, 2027 (for 2026 payments); if that falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the next business dayhigh

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