Questions? Contact the Housing Division.

What do I do if I'm at risk of or already being evicted? 

Act quickly. It is easier to prevent an eviction than it is to stop an eviction. Read the Attorney General's Office "Are you worried about being evicted?" in English or Spanish.

1. Know Where You Are in the Process & Respond in a Timely Manner

• Review the MA Tenant's Guide to Eviction to understand the steps of eviction. 
• Download forms at Greater Boston Legal Services MADE: Self Guided Eviction Help
• Westwood Public Library has computer, internet, and printing resources available to all.

2. Understand Your Rights

Identify if you are a tenant at-will (have no lease) or have a lease. Visit Mass.gov/eviction-for-tenants to review your rights. Your rights and the process will differ depending on which type of housing agreement you have.  If you have a lease, review the terms of your lease. 

You may have defenses or counterclaims to prevent eviction, such as:

• Problems with the condition of your home
• Did not receive written notice
• Retaliation for exercising your rights or discrimination

It is illegal for a landlord to evict, remove belongings from a unit, change your locks, shut off your utilities, or interfere with your use of the unit without a court order, or execution, in Massachusetts. Only a sheriff or constable can remove a tenant or their belongings; a landlord cannot forcibly remove you. If your landlord/property management has or threatened to do any of these things, call the Attorney General's Office at 617-727-8400.

• File a housing temporary restraining order if your landlord illegally locked you out of your apartment, shut off your utilities, or other emergency issues that impacted your ability to live safely and peacefully

3. Pursue Legal Assistance

In 2025, the state launched the Access to Counsel Program (ATPC) to increase access to legal representation in eviction cases through several organizations.* Many other resources are also available for free or at a low cost to you. 

• MetroMediation (mediation services)
• MetroWest Legal Help*
• Northeast Legal Aid*
• De Novo Center for Justice & Healing*
• Greater Boston Legal Services*
• Massachusetts Bar Association
• Boston Bar Association
• MA Legal Resource Finder 
• Virtual Court Service Center
• Volunteer Lawyers Project 

5. Pursue Financial Resources

If you are behind on payments and/or on a repayment plan that is not financially feasible, you may qualify for financial assistance.