Landlords can deny you housing because you’ve been to court for an eviction case. EVEN IF YOU WIN, WERE RETALIATED AGAINST, OR FOUND NOT AT FAULT, you may still have a record. Check if you have a record on masscourts.org.
Massachusetts legalized the sealing of eviction records in May 2025, allowing tenants who meet certain requirements — such as not having another eviction soon after the initial one — to have their court records sealed. Housing officials say eviction records, even in cases where tenants prevailed, can be a major barrier to finding safe, stable housing. Sealing those records is one way to give tenants more control over their housing opportunities.
Mass Fair Housing and Springfield No One Leaves jointly received a $55,000 grant from the Attorney General's Office to hold clinics to help tenants understand what it takes to seal eviction records. At these clinics, lawyers and staff are on site to help tenants understand their eviction history, the steps they need to take to seal those records and, if applicable, seal those records on the spot. They can also find records tenants had no idea were filed.