Boston may soon begin publicly identifying its most problematic landlords — and make it harder for them to secure city contracts, grants, or development approvals.
Here's what to know
According to Boston.com, City Council President Liz Breadon and Councilor Brian Worrell introduced an ordinance requiring Boston to publish a public "Worst Landlords in Boston" list twice a year for landlords with repeated housing violations, unpaid fines, and other compliance problems.
Breadon said the list would use a points system based on Inspectional Services Department records, including housing and fire code issues, reports of poor conditions, unpaid fines, and rental registration noncompliance.
The list could prevent landlords from doing business with Boston, receiving city grants, getting zoning relief, or participating in Article 80, the city's development review process.
Worrell presented the measure as a stronger enforcement tool for repeat offenders and called for tougher action against "scofflaw" landlords who do not pay housing-code fines. He said the list would focus attention on owners who repeatedly fail to maintain their properties or protect neighborhood quality of life.
More background
Breadon said the push grew out of complaints she has heard for years from tenants in Allston-Brighton. In September, her office released a survey for residents there about their landlord experiences and created a similar version for renters across Boston.
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Tenants described mold, frozen or burst pipes, and landlords who didn't respond when issues came up. The ordinance focuses on repeat violations and patterns of noncompliance rather than isolated disputes.
A public list would give renters a clearer picture of ownership patterns before signing or renewing a lease and signal that persistent neglect may come with financial and regulatory consequences.
What's being done?
The ordinance would turn scattered enforcement records into a more visible accountability system. Instead of leaving violations buried across separate databases, Boston would publish a list twice a year and tie it to penalties that could affect a landlord's business opportunities. Being on the list could also lead to more inspections and fines.
The September survey in Allston-Brighton, along with the citywide renter survey, gives tenants a way to document recurring issues.
For Breadon, the goal is clear: "We're holding landlords accountable, encouraging them to do better, and hopefully make a better experience for our tenants who deserve to live in clean and well-maintained accommodations."
Where can I learn more?
Tenants and local governments elsewhere have challenged abusive landlord practices.
• In California, doing their laundry led tenants into an eviction fight that helped change state law.
• In Arizona, lawmakers pushed indoor temperature protections after renters faced dangerous heat inside their homes.
• In Texas, landlords must notify renters when flood risk threatens a property.
• In Los Angeles, officials confronted egregious rental prices as landlords targeted wildfire evacuees.
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