KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: The temporary moratorium on evictions has expired – now what?

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moratorium on evictions is no longer in effect as of August 26, 2021 as the result of a United States Supreme Court opinion. Certain protections in non-payment eviction cases remain in effect in Massachusetts. See St. 2020, c. 257, as amended by St. 2021, c. 20. Resources about eviction are available online.

Your city or town may have a local eviction moratorium. Please check your city or town's website for information.


WHAT TO KNOW:

  • The landlord must give you a written notice asking you to leave.
  • The landlord cannot force you out by changing the locks or shutting off the utilities.
  • The landlord cannot evict you without a court order.

BEING EVICTED?

Several websites are available where you can learn what to do when facing eviction:

NEED LEGAL SERVICES?

You can always reach out to:

Greater Boston Legal Services, Massachusetts Defense for EvictionMassachusetts Bar Association Referral Program
Harvard Legal Aid BureauVolunteer Lawyers Project


STAY VIGILANT FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY

If someone is trying to take advantage of you, taking your property, denying you access to your property, threatening or intimidating you, or offering you something that seems just a little too good to be true, they may be committing a crime.

  • When in doubt contact your local police department. If you are in immediate danger always call 911.

If you believe you’ve been a victim of a housing scam, call us at (781) 897-8300 or ask the following agencies for help: