Legal Tactics Booklets: Representing Yourself in an Eviction

Also in
Show Endnotes
By
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
Reviewed
Reviewed
Text

If you are facing eviction, use the information within the Booklets below to protect yourself. 

In Massachusetts, you do not have the right to a lawyer if you are facing eviction. Because of this, many people have to represent themselves.

These 15 booklets can help you represent yourself if you are facing eviction in Massachusetts. These booklets have information about steps you need to take to protect your rights, including things you have to do before going to court. These booklets do not take the place of a lawyer.

You can download these booklets as pdfs.  Many of the booklets can be downloaded in multiple languages, including: English, Español, Português, Kreyòl Ayisyen, Tiếng Việt, 简体中文 

Widgets
Booklet 1: Protecting Yourself in an Eviction

What steps to take before going to court and what to bring to court. Updated January 2022.

Download the booklet as a pdf in:

Booklet 2: Housing Code Checklist

An easy-to-use checklist that tells you what conditions violate the State Sanitary Code. Updated May 2023.

Read the booklet online or

Download the booklet as a pdf in:

You can also use the free self-help guided interview, MADE: Up To Code help you find out if your home is safe according to the state sanitary code.

 

Booklet 3: The Answer

The Answer is a court form that tenants facing evictions can file with the court to outline your legal claims and tell the court your side of the story. Updated January 2022.

Read the booklet online or

Download the booklet as a pdf in:

You can also use Greater Boston Legal Services' free self-help guided interview, MADE. The interview is based on Booklet 3. It asks you questions and helps you build the Answer you need to file at court.

 

Booklet 3A: Late Answer & Discovery

This Booklet explains how to ask the court to accept your Answer and Discovery forms late. Updated January 2022.

Download the booklet as a pdf in:

You can also use Greater Boston Legal Services' free self-help guided interview, MADE. The interview is based on Booklet 3. It asks you questions and helps you build the Answer you need to file at court.

Booklet 4: Discovery

If you are a tenant facing eviction, Booklet 4 includes a form with instructions for how to get information to prepare for your trial. Updated January 2022.

Download the booklet as a pdf in:

Booklet 4A: Tenant Foreclosure Discovery

If you are a tenant or homeowner in a foreclosed property, Booklet 4A includes a form with instructions for how to get information to prepare for your trial. Updated May 2019.

Download the booklet as a pdf in:

Booklet 5: Transfer

If you are a tenant facing eviction in a District Court and you want to be in Housing Court, Booklet 5 explains how to transfer your case and includes a transfer form that you can file. Updated January 2022.

Read the booklet online or

Download the booklet as a pdf in:

 

 

Booklet 6: Removing Default

If you do not show up for your court date or you arrive after the case is called, the court
enters a “default judgment.” The court decides your landlord wins the case because you
did not show up for your court date. Booklet 6 explains how you can ask the court for a new court date. Updated January 2022.

Download the booklet as a pdf in:

You can also use the free online guided interview from MassAccess to help you complete this motion.

Booklet 7: Appeals

If you lost your eviction trial and think you have a good case, you may appeal. Updated June 2017.

Download the booklet as a pdf in:

  • If you lost your eviction trial in Housing Court, look at Appeals Booklet 7A. 

     

  • If you lost your eviction trial in District Court, look at Appeals Booklet 7B.

Booklet 8: Stay

If you lost your eviction case, or you agreed in a court judgment to move out, and you need  more time to move, you can ask the judge to let you stay in your home longer. This is called asking for a Stay of Execution. Booklet 8 explains how to ask the court for one. Updated January 2022.

Read the booklet online or

Download the booklet as a pdf in:

Booklet 9: Affidavit of Indigency

If you need to go to court, but you cannot afford the fees and costs of your case, you may not have to pay them. The court can “waive” or not charge their fees and have the state pay other costs. Booklet 9 explains how you can ask the court how to for a waiver. Updated January 2022.

Read the booklet online or

Download the booklet as a pdf in:

You can also use the guided interview on Court Forms Online. This free online tool helps you fill out the form by asking you questions. After you answer all the questions, the program will generate a completed form that you can then file with the court.

Booklet 10: Negotiating a Settlement of Your Case

To be updated soon.

Booklet 11: Error Correction Form

Booklet 11 tells you how to correct errors on your online court records. It includes the court form you can save to your computer, fill out, save again and print when ready. Updated June 2017.

Download the booklet as a pdf:

 

 

Other housing forms, checklists and letters

Feedback

Was this page helpful?