Tips for Talking with Your Landlord

If you're behind on rent, you need to talk to your landlord. Many landlords — especially small landlords — see court as costly and burdensome. Being upfront and honest about what you can pay makes it more likely they’ll agree to a payment plan instead of filing for eviction.

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How to start

Act early — reach out in writing before things go to court.
Be honest about what you can afford.
Offer a realistic payment plan you can stick to.
Get any agreement in writing and keep copies.
Keep proof of all payments (receipts, bank statements, money orders).

Mayor's Office of Housing

Housing Stability
617-635-4200
26 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Tips and Resources

We know this is not easy, and while we cannot assist directly, we hope these resources help you feel more prepared to talk with your landlord and plan next steps.

Sample Language You Can Use

Dear [Landlord’s Name],
I want to stay in my home and catch up on back rent. I can pay $___ extra each month starting . I hope we can agree on this in writing. Thank you for working with me.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Plan Your Budget

Take time to plan what you can actually pay. Center for Working Families, MassSaves, and Boston Builds Credit can help you build a budget, strengthen your credit, and look at all your options — for free.