Boston Councilors Propose Public Landlord Violations List
A new ordinance would track housing code violations and bar problematic landlords from city contracts and grants.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in City Hall
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Boston City Council President Liz Breadon and Councilor Brian Worrell have introduced an ordinance to publish a semiannual list of landlords with recurring housing code violations. Backed by ten additional councilors, the proposal aims to increase landlord accountability and improve tenant leverage in the rental market.
Why it matters
The measure seeks to address recurring housing issues by using a points-based system to flag property owners with unpaid fines or code violations. By restricting these landlords from city business, grants, and zoning relief, the city hopes to incentivize better property maintenance and tenant protections.
The proposed ordinance mandates that the city publish a blacklist twice a year using data from the Inspectional Services Department. This list would include landlords with documented housing and fire code violations alongside unpaid fines.
The players
Liz Breadon
She serves as the Boston City Council President and represents the Allston-Brighton district.
Brian Worrell
He is a Boston City Councilor who co-sponsored the ordinance to track landlord code violations.
Inspectional Services Department
This Boston municipal agency is responsible for enforcing housing and fire codes throughout the city.
Committee on Government Operations
This City Council body reviews proposed legislation and ordinances before they advance to a full vote.
The details
The ordinance, which has been referred to the Committee on Government Operations, would utilize a points-based evaluation to identify non-compliant landlords. Penalties for inclusion on the list include a prohibition on doing business with the city, receiving municipal grants, or obtaining zoning relief.
Timeline
October 21, 2026: Councilors introduced the ordinance.
September 2026: Breadon launched a resident survey in Allston-Brighton.
Coming weeks: Committee on Government Operations hearing.
Political Context
Opponents of such measures often argue that the points-based system may penalize property owners for minor infractions or administrative errors. Critics also express concern that increased regulatory burdens on landlords could lead to reduced housing inventory or higher rental costs for residents.
Residents in the city can expect increased transparency regarding property management, potentially giving renters more information before signing leases. The policy change could impact local property development if listed landlords are denied the zoning relief or city grants typically used for housing improvements.
The takeaway
This proposal marks a significant effort by the council to leverage administrative penalties to curb persistent housing code violations. Tenants should monitor the upcoming committee hearings to see how the final criteria for the list are defined and when public access will be granted.
What happens next
A hearing on the ordinance will be scheduled by the Committee on Government Operations in the coming weeks.
Further reading
Learn more about local government initiatives on the City Hall page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Boston.
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