One place to find the official links that actually matter
This page pulls together key Massachusetts eviction and housing resources we see landlords, attorneys, and property managers use all the time. It is not legal advice and it is not a complete list, but it is a practical starting point.
Eviction overview: official guides
These are good “first stop” links when you need to understand the basic eviction process before you decide what to do next.
General eviction resources
These pages outline legal reasons for eviction, basic steps in the process, and links out to additional help.
Eviction process from the owner side
These links explain how to file, what the court expects, and common issues that come up when owners move forward.
Tenant focused eviction guides
Even if you are a landlord or attorney, it helps to know what tenants are being told about their rights and options.
Rental assistance and RAFT
Many nonpayment cases now involve some attempt at rental assistance. Programs change, but RAFT is still a key tool in Massachusetts for preventing homelessness and stabilizing tenancies.
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)
RAFT is a state program that can help cover back rent and certain housing costs for eligible households. Benefit limits and rules are updated from time to time, so always check the current Mass.gov guidance and any recent administrative plans before relying on older information.
How RAFT intersects with nonpayment cases
In practice, we see RAFT in two ways:
- Tenants apply to cure nonpayment and avoid or limit an eviction.
- Landlords apply to recover some arrears so they can either stabilize or make a clean transition.
We do not decide whether anyone qualifies, and we do not handle applications. Our role is to serve the paperwork the court requires and document what happened at each step.
Practical tip
If RAFT or other assistance is in play, tell your attorney and your constable up front. It can affect scheduling, how you talk about the case in court, and whether it makes sense to push forward with an execution right away.
Housing Court rules, standing orders, and FAQs
Housing Court practice is driven by rules, local standing orders, and administrative decisions that change over time. These links are where we check for current requirements.
Housing Court standing orders
These orders cover things like Tier 1 events, scheduling, and how summary process cases move through the system.
Mandatory e-filing for attorneys
Attorneys handling summary process, small claims, and some civil matters in Housing Court should stay current on mandatory e-filing requirements.
Housing Court resources and FAQ
Good starting points for contact information, mediation programs, and practical details for each division.
Required forms and notices
There are specific forms Massachusetts requires in certain eviction situations. We do not create or approve these forms, but we expect to see them when we are hired to serve the underlying paperwork.
“Form to Accompany Residential Notice to Quit”
In residential nonpayment cases, landlords are required to give this form along with the Notice to Quit. When we are asked to serve a nonpayment notice, we look for this form in the packet and flag it if it is missing.
Additional state level resources
These links point to legal services, community mediation, and additional guidance that courts and agencies direct parties to.
Our role with forms and notices
We do not decide which form you should use, how it should be filled out, or whether it is legally sufficient. That belongs to you and your attorney. Our job is to serve whatever the court and your counsel decide to use, document how it was served, and tell you honestly if something at the door does not line up with what the paperwork assumes.
Neutral help and legal services
Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, there are neutral programs in Massachusetts that focus on keeping people housed where possible and making the court process more understandable.
Programs around the state
- Eviction legal services and mediation (Mass.gov)
- Tenant legal help links
- Housing Court resource guide
These programs are available to both landlords and tenants in many situations and can sometimes resolve disputes before or during a case.
AG’s guide and hotline
The Attorney General publishes a detailed guide to landlord and tenant rights in Massachusetts and maintains a consumer hotline for certain types of complaints and questions.
Our own checklists and explainer articles
We write internal checklists and public blog posts to help clients understand the constable’s part of the process. They never replace a lawyer, but they do make the timeline less mysterious.
Constable side explanations
On this site, look for:
- Massachusetts eviction timeline and how we work
- Blog articles focused on evictions and civil process
These pages explain in plain English what happens when you hire us, how we schedule attempts, and what to expect on 48 hour and execution days.
Deeper dives and training style content
Our main site, maconstable.com, hosts more in depth pieces about constables in Massachusetts, eviction procedure, and required forms.
If you want background beyond “what do I do next in this case,” that is the place to wander. When you are ready to actually serve documents, come back here and use the forms on MACivilProcess.com.
Use these resources to understand the process, then send us the documents and deadlines. We will tell you what we can do, what it will cost, and what a realistic timeline looks like.