Self Help Forms and Letters

Housing Code Checklist (March 2021)
An easy-to-use checklist that tells you the minimum legal requirements for rental housing under the State Sanitary Code. En español, Tiếng Việt, Português, Kreyòl Ayisyen, 简体中文, ខ្មែរ

Use the website MADE: Up To Code to 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.