Legal Resources if you are facing eviction: 

1. If you are behind on your rent, apply for rental assistance. 

Chapter 257 of the Massachusetts General Laws, states that an Eviction can be delayed if the tenant has applied for emergency rental assistance. If you are behind on rent, please apply for rental assistance here 

https://www.chapa.org/housing-news/governor-signs-eviction-protection-law 

2. Find out which court will hear your case: 

Depending on where the landlord files the case, it can be heard in either the Waltham district court or in the northeastern housing court. Look at your court summons to see which court your case will be heard in. 

You can look up the status of your case or ask questions of the court clerk here: 

• Northeast Housing Court 
• Waltham District Court 
• Guide to MA remote hearings 

3. Get legal assistance- Call these agencies to get legal representation. 

Housing Families

Phone: (781)-322-9119, ext. 146.

Email: probonolegalteam@housingfamilies.org 

Provides free legal advice and assistance through "lawyer for a day" program at the Northeastern Housing Court in Woburn. Clients whose cases are in Waltham District court can also contact this office for help. 

Provides "Limited assistance representation” and will refer cases if more legal help is needed than they can provide. 

For information about other legal services for people with low incomes, contact: 

• Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder 
• Greater Boston Legal Services,
  • Emergency housing situations, immigration asylum cases, denial of benefits, domestic violence, unemployment denial, job related issues, and other situations. 
  • Phone: (617)-371-1234 or 1-800-323-3205
  • Open: Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 12 PM
• The Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School
  • Phone: (617)-522-3003 
• Harvard Law School Tenancy Advocacy Project
  • For tenants of and applicants to public and subsidized housing at administrative hearings at housing authorities:
  • Phone: (617)-495-4394
  • Email: tap@law.harvard.edu
• MetroWest Legal Services, Framingham
  • Phone: (508)-620-1830 or (800)-696-1501 (toll free)
  • Open: Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Boston College Legal Services LAB
  • They offer a multitude of programs such as Civil Litigation, Community Enterprise, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
  • Newton - (617)-552-0248
  • Open: Fall and Spring (Closed Summer)
• Jewish Family and Children’s Service Legal Services
  • Housing, Family Law, Public Benefits, Consumer Law, Domestic Violence, Elder Law, and Probate Law, SNAP (food stamp) issues.
  • Contact: Bet Tzedek,
  • Waltham Phone: (781)-647-5327
• Massachusetts Legal Clinic for the Homeless
  • Phone: (617)-544-3434 ext. 110
  • Email: sthekkeparayil@lawyersclearinghouse.org
• De Novo
  • Cambridge Phone: (617) 661-1010
• The Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
  • Offers a multitude of resources including legal resources, financial resources and support services. Learn more here,
  • Phone: (617)-748-2454
  • Email: collen.pritoni@state.ma.us
• Boston Rape Crisis Center
  • Legal resources, medical advocacy, counseling and support services are available.
  • New office in Waltham - 24 Crescent St., Suite 202, Waltham
• MassHire
  • Offers help for those having trouble with their unemployment compensation claims. Learn more here
  • Phone: (508)-861-7993 ext. 711 to speak with the Operations Manager
• PAIR
  • PAIR provides free immigration services to indigent asylum seekers and detained immigrants.
  • Phone: (617)-742-9296

Other Sources of Legal Information: 

• MassLegalHelp
• MassLegal Services