These city councilors want to publish a ‘Worst Landlords in Boston’ list

Boston could soon name and shame its “worst” landlords — and make it harder for them to do business with the city. 

City Council President Liz Breadon and Councilor Brian Worrell introduced an ordinance Wednesday that would create a public list, published twice a year, of landlords with repeated housing violations, unpaid fines, and other records of noncompliance. 

The goal, Breadon said, is to give tenants more leverage in a rental market where landlords often hold the “upper hand.” 

“We’re holding landlords accountable, encouraging them to do better,” Breadon told Boston.com in an interview Thursday, “and hopefully make a better experience for our tenants who deserve to live in clean and well-maintained accommodations.” 

The proposed “Worst Landlords in Boston” list would use a points-based system to evaluate landlords, Breadon said. The city would draw on Inspectional Services Department data, including housing code violations and reports of poor living conditions and analyze fire code violations, unpaid fines, and noncompliance with rental registration. 

Landlords who make the list would face a range of consequences. Under the ordinance, they could be barred from doing business with the city, receiving grants, obtaining zoning relief, or participating in Article 80, Boston’s development review process. They would also be subject to increased inspections and fines. 

The proposal follows a September survey Breadon launched asking Allston-Brighton residents to share their experiences with their landlords. Her office also created a similar survey for renters across Boston. 

Breadon, who represents Allston–Brighton, said the issue has been on her radar for years. She had repeatedly heard complaints from residents about mold, frozen or burst pipes, and landlords who fail to communicate with tenants.  

“My concern is that a few bad actors can make the experience very negative for folks who want to move to the city,” Breadon said.  

At Wednesday’s City Council meeting, Worrell called for stronger enforcement against “scofflaw” landlords who refuse to pay fines for housing code violations. 

“Through the creation of a bad actors list, it creates the type of focus we need on landlords who consistently fail to maintain their properties, provide quality housing, or address issues that impact the quality of life in our neighborhoods,” Worrell said. 

Ten other councilors are supporting the measure: Miniard Culpepper, Sharon Durkan, John FitzGerald, Ed Flynn, Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia, Erin Murphy, Enrique Pepén, Henry Santana, and Benjamin Weber.

The ordinance was referred to the Committee on Government Operations, which reviews local laws impact residents’ quality of life. A hearing will be scheduled in the coming weeks, Breadon said. 

The proposal draws on examples from other cities, including Chicago, which has used a similar list to restrict landlords’ ability to do business with the city or obtain zoning relief. 

“Landlords will not want to be on that list,” Breadon said. “I feel it puts a little pressure on them to do better and improve their standard of care for their tenants.”

An ordinance establishing a Bad Landlords List and extending rental property code enforcement against chron… by samantha.genzer