Boston Municipal Code ch. 10-2 § 10-2.18
Judicial Review
Operative Text
All decisions of the OHS or ISD, except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, may be appealed to the Housing Court Department of the Trial Courts, Eastern Division, within 30 calendar days after the date of such decision; provided, however, that this Section shall not be construed to provide a right of appeal of a general adjustment decision pursuant to Subsection 10-2.5a.
Under Boston Municipal Code ch. 10-2 § 10-2.18, most decisions issued by the Office of Housing Stability (OHS) or the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) can be challenged through the Housing Court Department of the Trial Courts, Eastern Division, as long as the appeal is filed within 30 calendar days of the decision date. The provision carves out one notable exception: decisions involving general rent adjustments made under Subsection 10-2.5a are not subject to this appeal pathway. This creates a defined but limited channel for judicial oversight of agency decisions under Boston's rent regulation framework.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to decisions issued by the OHS or ISD under Boston Municipal Code ch. 10-2 § 10-2.18 generally have a 30-calendar-day window from the decision date to seek review in Housing Court, Eastern Division. Operators who wish to contest a covered decision typically track decision dates carefully to preserve this option, since the deadline is measured in calendar days rather than business days. General adjustment decisions under Subsection 10-2.5a fall outside this appeal route, so compliant operators distinguish between decision types when evaluating their options.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Boston Municipal Code ch. 10-2 § 10-2.18 establishes that tenants affected by most OHS or ISD decisions have up to 30 calendar days from the decision date to seek judicial review in the Housing Court Department, Eastern Division. If a decision feels incorrect or harmful, this provision provides a formal avenue for challenge outside the agency itself. Tenants navigating this process may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Boston's rent regulation system to understand how this provision applies to their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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