Self Help Forms and Letters

 Housing Code Checklist (May 2023)

An easy-to-use checklist that tells you what conditions violate the State Sanitary Code. 

• En español, Português

You can also use the free self-help guided interview, MADE: Up To Code. It lets you document bad conditions in your apartment and take action to get the repairs made.

Tenant Lead Law Notification & Tenant Certification Form
Before you move into an apartment built before 1978, the landlord must give you this lead warning notice and a copy of of any lead inspection reports.

Repair Letter

Repair Demand Letter

Letter Requesting an Inspection

Rent Withholding Letter

Repair and Deduct Letter

Tenant Petition to Enforce State Sanitary Code

Temporary Restraining Order
Use these forms to ask a court to order your landlord to fix a problem, make an emergency repair, or stop doing something illegal, like locking you out of your apartment. Or try the MassAccess interactive interview, Complaint for a Temporary Restraining Order, that lets you complete, review, sign and send your request for a Temporary Restraining Order to the court from your smart phone or computer.