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How to request an administrative hearing

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You can ask for a hearing if you get a violation on your property. There are two ways to do this.

Step
1

Before you get started by mail

If you get a violation on your property, you can request a hearing for several reasons. You can ask for a hearing if you:

  • need more time to fix the issue
  • want to dispute the violation
  • need to clarify what you need to do, or
  • have any other concerns about the violation.

Please send us your request in writing within seven days of getting the violation. If we gave you an emergency violation, you must address the issue first. You have 24 hours to fix the issue before you can ask for a hearing.

If we condemn and vacate your property, we’ll schedule a hearing for you without you having to make a request.

Step
2

Mail your request for a hearing

Print out and complete the request form. You can send your form to:

Inspectional Services

Division of Housing Inspection

1010 Massachusetts Ave.

Boston, MA 02118

Step
3

Go to the hearing

We’ll send you a notice to let you know when we plan to hold your hearing. A hearing officer will oversee the hearing, and the inspector who gave you the violation will also  be there. Anyone that's affected by the violation can attend the hearing. Both sides will have a chance to state their case.

You can either dispute the violation or tell the hearing officer how you plan to correct it. At the hearing, you can testify about your concerns, including:

  • why we shouldn't condemn, vacate, or demolish your property, and
  • why we should reconsider or change a decision made by an inspector or someone from our staff.  

You have the right to hire a lawyer or other professional to help you make your case. You also have the right to see all documents that relate to your violation. We'll give you our decision in writing within seven days.

Step
1

Before you get started in person

If you get a violation on your property, you can request a hearing for several reasons. You can ask for a hearing if you:

  • need more time to fix the issue
  • want to dispute the violation
  • need to clarify what you need to do, or
  • have any other concerns about the violation.

Please send us your request in writing within seven days of getting the violation. If we gave you an emergency violation, you must address the issue first. You have 24 hours to fix the issue before you can ask for a hearing.

If we condemn and vacate your property, we’ll schedule a hearing for you without you having to make a request.

Step
2

Request a hearing

Print out and complete the request form. You can bring your form to:

Inspectional Services

Division of Housing Inspection

1010 Massachusetts Ave.

Boston, MA 02118

Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Step
3

Go to the hearing

We’ll send you a notice to let you know when we plan to hold your hearing. A hearing officer will oversee the hearing, and the inspector who gave you the violation will also  be there. Anyone that's affected by the violation can attend the hearing. Both sides will have a chance to state their case.

You can either dispute the violation or tell the hearing officer how you plan to correct it. At the hearing, you can testify about your concerns, including:

  • why we shouldn't condemn, vacate, or demolish your property, and
  • why we should reconsider or change a decision made by an inspector or someone from our staff.  

You have the right to hire a lawyer or other professional to help you make your case. You also have the right to see all documents that relate to your violation. We'll give you our decision in writing within seven days.

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