Mass. Gen. Laws c. 121B § 32D
Actions by tenants or tenants' organizations
Operative Text
Section 32D. A tenant or member of a tenant household in a public or subsidized housing development whose health or safety has been seriously threatened as described in section thirty-two C, and where there is reasonable cause to believe that such unlawful conduct will continue to pose a serious threat to his health and safety may institute and prosecute in his own name and on his own behalf or on behalf of other willing household members a civil action requiring the landlord of the public or subsidized housing development to seek injunctive and other appropriate relief as provided in section thirty-two C, provided that the landlord of the public or subsidized housing development has actual or constructive notice of said unlawful conduct. Such civil action may also be pursued by a tenants organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, on behalf of its members, and without any requirement that such organization be represented by counsel in order to pursue such action. This paragraph shall not be construed so as to limit relief otherwise available under chapter two hundred and nine A. Nothing in this section shall be read to limit the civil and criminal remedies otherwise available under section thirty-nine of chapter two hundred and sixty-five or section one hundred and twenty-seven B of chapter two hundred and sixty-six. This paragraph does not limit any existing nor create any new civil or criminal liability.
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 121B § 32D establishes a legal pathway for tenants or household members in public or subsidized housing to bring a civil action in their own name when their health or safety has been seriously threatened by unlawful conduct, and there is reasonable cause to believe that threat will continue. The provision also allows tenants' organizations—incorporated or not—to pursue such actions on behalf of their members, even without an attorney representing the organization. Importantly, this section does not create new liability or eliminate other legal remedies already available under related Massachusetts statutes, including those addressing domestic violence and housing code enforcement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Mass. Gen. Laws c. 121B § 32D, landlords of public or subsidized housing developments can face civil actions brought directly by tenants, household members, or tenants' organizations when unlawful conduct seriously threatens health or safety and the landlord has actual or constructive notice of that conduct. Operators who maintain documented, responsive procedures for addressing reported threats—and who act promptly upon receiving notice—generally demonstrate the kind of engagement this provision contemplates. Because the section ties liability to notice, maintaining clear and accessible channels for tenants to report safety concerns is a recognized element of compliant property management.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 121B § 32D gives tenants and household members in public or subsidized housing the right to file a civil action in their own name to seek injunctive or other appropriate relief when unlawful conduct poses a continuing serious threat to their health or safety, provided the landlord had notice of the problem. Tenants' organizations may also pursue such actions on behalf of members without needing to retain legal counsel, which can lower barriers to collective action. This provision works alongside—not instead of—other remedies available under Massachusetts law, such as those under Chapter 209A or Chapter 266 § 127B, and tenants may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization to understand the full range of options available.
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 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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