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Free Massachusetts Rental Application Form

A Massachusetts Rental Application Form is a screening tool you use to gather details from potential tenants before leasing. It covers personal, financial, and employment info. The form helps you assess eligibility. It also allows you to follow state and federal laws on discrimination and applicant consent.

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Last Update April 21, 2026

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What Is a Massachusetts Residential Rental Application?Massachusetts Rental Application SampleWhat To Include in a Massachusetts Rental Application FormMassachusetts Rental Application LawsOther Real Estate DocumentsFAQs About Massachusetts Rental Application Form

What Is a Massachusetts Residential Rental Application?

A Massachusetts rental application is a legal document used by landlords and property managers to assess and choose an appropriate tenant for a rental property.

Massachusetts Rental Applications by Type

There are two main types of rental applications in Massachusetts. You must select the most relevant one depending on the type of property being rented, local laws, and the type of leasing agreement that will be used.

Standard/General Rental ApplicationDepartment of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rental Application
Which landlords can use it?Private landlordsLandlords with Section 8 housing
What kind of tenants is it designed for?AnyTenants eligible for subsidized housing

Massachusetts Rental Application Sample

Looking over a readily prepared template of a rental application can make it much easier to create your own. Review our document sample below to get more familiar with what your application form will look like when it’s completed.

Rental Application Massachusetts Sample
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What To Include in a Massachusetts Rental Application Form

When you fill in a simple Rental Application form for Massachusetts you’ll need to ask for some crucial details from the tenant to make the vetting process as effective as possible.

Data the Tenant Can Be Asked for Essential Disclosures from the Landlord
Personal data The property’s condition
Rental history Potential hazards to the tenant
Employment details Shared utility arrangements
Income information Rent control rules
Credit history Smoking policy
Personal references The security deposit
Permission for background checks Associated fees

The information offered by either the landlord or tenant will vary from application to application. However, it is vitally important that both sides get the clearest picture possible about the nature of the lease before signing an agreement.

Massachusetts Rental Application Laws

Massachusetts has many rules and statutes regulating its housing market. These must be fully considered when preparing an application for rental properties in the state.

Application Fee

A landlord in Massachusetts is not permitted to charge an application fee.

On the other hand, in compliance with § 254 CMR 7.00(1), real estate brokers and agents are permitted to charge a fee for rental applications (Section 15B(1)(b)).

Security Deposit

Landlords in Massachusetts can charge up to the cost of one month's rent for security deposits (Section 15B(1)(b)(iii)).

You are required to put the deposit in a separate interest-bearing account in a bank found in Massachusetts.

Housing Discrimination Law

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 151B, it is illegal to discriminate in housing based on several protected classes. Massachusetts law is actually broader than the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), protecting additional characteristics:

  • Race and Color
  • Nationality and Ancestry
  • Religion
  • Sex, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity
  • Familial status (presence of children)
  • Disability
  • Genetic information
  • Marital status
  • Veteran or active military status
  • Age (except for minors)
  • Source of income (such as Section 8 vouchers)

Research into the Boston area has highlighted significant disparities in the housing market. For instance, a Federal Reserve Bank of Boston report found that 70% of voucher holders reported experiencing discrimination. Among Black applicants, 80% reported issues with landlords refusing vouchers, compared to 57% for other racial groups. Additionally, while the white homeownership rate in Massachusetts is approximately 70.4%, it is significantly lower for Black (38.6%) and Hispanic (31.6%) residents.

Notice of Eligibility

Potential tenants must be informed about the screening criteria and reasons for denial or approval. To prove that these facts were shared, a signature of acknowledgment must be provided within the application or alongside it.

Consent Credit Check

The Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) stipulates that potential tenants must agree to any credit checks you require to assess their suitability. To show they consent, they must provide written acknowledgment on the application form.

Other Real Estate Documents

There are various other legal documents that landlords must take into account when considering new tenants. Get expert guidance on preparing other personalized property forms with our other printable templates for the following legal forms: 

FAQs About Massachusetts Rental Application Form

Understanding what your Massachusetts rental application can and cannot do is vital before you create your own from scratch. Find out more about how these screening documents work and what you need to know when writing them.

A Massachusetts rental application gives you the opportunity to learn more about your tenant before committing to a legal contract with them. You collect data to:

  • Review their rental history
  • Verify their employment and income
  • Learn of any criminal history or credit issues

A credit reference is a document that provides information on the credit history of an applicant for a rental property. This may be requested on Massachusetts rental applications so that landlords can properly assess whether a potential tenant will be able to meet the rental payment schedule.

A Massachusetts Rental Application typically doesn’t require a Social Security number (SSN), unless you’re running a background check.

If requested, landlords must get written consent and disclose how the SSN will be handled.

Many screening services now collect SSNs securely by email, but tenant permission is always required before running any checks.

Preview of your Massachusetts Rental Application

RENTAL APPLICATION
The following sections must be completed by the Applicant. Please note that, except for married couples, each occupant who is 18 years of age or older has to complete a separate application to rent.

Shall the Applicant have any question regarding the rental unit, please contact _________ at:
Email Address: _________
Phone: _________
The Applicant is a: (check one)

(   ) Tenant
(   ) Tenant with co-tenant(s)
(   ) Guarantor/co-signor
PROPERTY INFORMATION
Application to rent property at the following address:

_________ , _________, MA _________

Type of Property: House
Date of Availability: _________
Proposed Move-In Date: _________
APPLICANT'S INFORMATION

Please attach a copy of your Driver's License, State ID, Military ID, or Passport.
FULL NAME OF APPLICANT: ________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: _________________________ (Optional. For purpose of obtaining credit reports. Age discrimination is prohibited by state and federal law)
Driver's license number or any valid ID: _________________ State: ______________ Expires: _________________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________
Home Phone: (______) ___________ Alternative Phone: (______) ___________
CO-APPLICANT'S INFORMATION (if applicable)
Please attach a copy of your Driver's License, State ID, Military ID, or Passport.

FULL NAME OF CO-APPLICANT: ________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: _________________________ (Optional)
Driver's license number or any valid ID: _________________ State: ______________ Expires: _________________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________
Home Phone: (______) ___________ Alternative Phone: (______) ___________
OTHER OCCUPANTS' INFORMATION (if applicable)
Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Relation to Applicant: ______________________ Date of Birth: ______________ (Optional)

Name: ____________________________________________________________________
Relation to Applicant: ______________________ Date of Birth: ______________ (Optional)
EMERGENCY CONTACT

In case of emergency, please contact:

Emergency contact #1: ____________________________________________________
Relationship: _______________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________
Emergency contact #2: ____________________________________________________
Relationship: _______________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________
Email Address: ____________________________________________________
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Pets
Pets are not allowed in the rental Property. However, as provided by law, a Service Animal(s) is not considered a pet, and every individual with a disability shall have a right to have a Service Animal(s) on the Property.
Waterbeds

The Landlord prohibits the use of waterbeds on the rental unit.
Smoking and Vaping

The Landlord does not allow smoking or vaping in the rental unit.
CONSENT & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

By signing this Residential Rental Application, the Applicant accepts and agrees to the following:
(i)This is only an application to rent and does not guarantee that the Applicant will be selected as a tenant of the premises.
(ii)The Landlord or Manager or his/her authorized Agent could receive multiple rental applications for the premises and will only select the most qualified individual.
(iii)Applicant represents the above information to be true and complete.
Applicant hereby authorizes the Landlord or Manager or his/her authorized Agent to do the following:
(i)Verify all of the personal information provided above.
(ii)Obtain a credit report, as well as other reports, on the Applicant.
(iii)Applicant further authorizes the Landlord or Manager or his/her authorized Agent to disclose information to the owners or agents of the premises with whom the Applicant intends to have a rental relationship.
Does the Applicant wish to receive a copy of the reports that we may obtain?Yes (   )     No (   )     

Notice of Non-Discrimination

The Landlord does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any approval/disapproval of this application.


__________________________________________
Applicant's SignatureDate
__________________________________________
Co-Applicant's SignatureDate

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