How Do I Seal My Eviction?
You must file a petition with the court to seal your eviction. To learn more about sealing your eviction, visit the website of the Housing Court.
If you need help filing a petition to seal your eviction, you can find resources and information at www.sealmyeviction.org.
When May I Answer “No Record” if Asked About a Sealed Eviction Record?
Once your eviction record has been sealed, you may answer “no record” on applications for housing or credit in Massachusetts that ask for information about your eviction history.
Applications for Housing or Credit Must Disclose Your Right to Respond “No Record” Regarding Sealed Evictions
If a housing application or credit application asks for information about your eviction history, it must include the following notice:
An applicant for housing or credit with a sealed record on file with the court pursuant to section 16 of chapter 239 of the General Laws may answer ‘no record’ to an inquiry relative to that sealed court record.
If you receive an application for housing or credit on or after May 5, 2025, that asks applicants about their eviction history and does not include the notice, we encourage you to report that information to the Attorney General’s Office. You can find out more about how to request the AGO’s review here:
Request for Review of a Housing or Credit Application, Pursuant to G.L. c. 239, § 16(j)
Please note that no party may be held liable for failing to include the required notice language in an application for housing or credit unless they have first been issued a written warning from the attorney general and failed to address the violation within 90 days of the notice.
Therefore, the Attorney General’s Office has established a process to review housing and credit applications. Where sufficient information has been provided to the AGO, the AGO will issue a written warning letter to a party that has failed to include the required notice in their housing or credit application.
Copies of these warning letters will be made available on the AGO’s website here: Warning Letters
How do I Submit a Request for Review of a Housing or Credit Application, Pursuant to G.L.c.239,§16(j)
You may request that the AGO issue a warning letter if all the following are true:
- An application for housing or credit is provided to you on or after May 5, 2025.
- The application is for housing or credit in Massachusetts.
- The application asks about a prior eviction.
- The application does not contain the required notice (see above).
If all of these are true, please submit a request here: