Rental assistance and the Massachusetts anti-discrimination law: chapter 151B, section 4(10)

What does paragraph 10 say?

Paragraph 10 of section 4 reads that it is unlawful for any person furnishing credit, services or rental accommodations to discriminate against any individual who is a recipient of federal, state or local public assistance, including medical assistance, or who is a tenant receiving federal, state or local housing subsidies, including rental assistance or rental supplements, because the individual is such a recipient, or because of any requirement of such public assistance, rental assistance or housing subsidy program.

Notice the final clause. The paragraph protects the person and also bars treating them worse because of a requirement of the program. A program may require an inspection, a lease addendum or a particular payment schedule. A landlord who refuses an applicant because of that paperwork or inspection is, on the text, discriminating "because of any requirement" of the program.

What about advertising?

Another paragraph of section 4 covers notices and advertisements for multiple dwellings, publicly assisted housing and other covered accommodations. It bars any notice, statement or advertisement that indicates a preference, limitation or discrimination based on the listed traits, which include public assistance recipiency, or an intention to make such a preference. A listing line that excludes subsidized tenants would be a statement of that kind. Remove it from every listing and template.

How should a landlord apply screening criteria?

The statute does not set an income formula. It bars discrimination because a person gets assistance or because of a program requirement. A neutral written standard that counts the rent the applicant owes, rather than the full contract rent, and that treats program paperwork as ordinary business, is the safest course. Keep the same standard for every applicant and keep the notes.

Example a made-up applicant holds a rental assistance subsidy that requires a signed program addendum and a unit inspection. On Monday, November 2, 2026 the landlord receives the application and the program packet. The landlord logs the date, sends the addendum for signature and schedules the inspection, using the same order of steps as for any applicant. If the inspection finds a defect, the landlord records the repair and the date it was fixed.

• Do not treat the program addendum or inspection as a reason to refuse.
• Keep one dated checklist for all applicants.
• Use the same lease terms, deposits and fees for all tenants.
• Check ads and templates for any wording about subsidies or assistance.

What did this post not read?

I read paragraph 10 and the advertising language in section 4. The chapter also has enforcement procedures through the Commission Against Discrimination and the courts, and separate rules for deposits and lead paint that touch assisted tenancies. Read those sections before acting on a complaint, and consult a fair housing attorney for edge cases such as a subsidy-required rent reasonableness review or a program deadline that conflicts with your usual lease start date. When in doubt, move at the pace the program allows and document why.

Where does DoorKeeping fit?

DoorKeeping keeps your written screening standard, each application, the dates you responded and the reasons in one place, so every applicant gets the same checklist and you can show it. You make the decisions. This is general information, not legal advice: check the current statute, and ask a local attorney if an applicant raises a complaint.

Sources

1. M.G.L. c. 151B, section 4, Unlawful practices (Massachusetts Legislature), read Oct 30, 2026

Questions

Does Massachusetts protect tenants with rental assistance?

Yes. Section 4(10) bars discrimination against tenants receiving housing subsidies, including rental assistance or supplements.

Can a Massachusetts landlord refuse because of a program requirement?

Paragraph 10 bars discrimination because of any requirement of the assistance program.

Can a Massachusetts ad exclude subsidized renters?

Section 4 bars advertisements indicating a preference or limitation based on public assistance recipiency.