Protected Classes in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, it is unlawful for a housing provider to discriminate against a current or prospective tenant based on:
- Race
- Color
- National Origin
- Religion
- Sex
- Familial Status (i.e children)
- Disability
- Source of Income (i.e a Section 8 Voucher)
- Sexual Orientation
- Gender Identity
- Age
- Marital Status
- Veteran or Active Military Status
- Genetic Information
In situations where current or perspective tenants have been denied housing, subjected to harassment, or otherwise treated unfairly by a housing provider, a complaint can be filed with either the Attorney General's Civil Rights Division or the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. For more information on fair housing issues, the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office has a Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights.
Also see:
Attorney General's Advisory on Harassment and Intimidation 2018