Mass. Gen. Laws » Part II Title I Chapter 185C
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 185C, § 16 (2026)

Housing specialists

✓ current as of July 2026
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Section 16. The first justice of a particular housing court may appoint, subject to appropriation and subject to the approval of the chief justice of the housing court department, such number of housing specialists as he may from time to time determine. Said first justice may designate one of them as chief housing specialist for the court. All housing specialists shall hold office at the pleasure of said chief justice, subject, however, to retirement under the provisions of any applicable general or special law relative to retirement systems. All housing specialists shall be knowledgeable in the maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of dwelling units; the problems of landlord and tenant as they pertain to dwelling units; the types of funds and services available to assist landlords and tenants in the financing and resolution of such problems; the federal and state laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the maintenance, repair and rehabilitation of such units; and the financing and resolution of such problems. The housing specialists shall have such powers and perform such duties as said chief justice shall from time to time prescribe. Every housing specialist shall be sworn by the chief justice of the housing court, who shall, upon administering the oath, forthwith make return of such act with the date thereof to the state secretary.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 4 cases, 1986–2008 · leading case: Abdeljaber v. Gaddoura, 801 N.E.2d 290 (Mass. App. Ct. 2004).
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Abdeljaber v. Gaddoura, 801 N.E.2d 290 (Mass. App. Ct. 2004). · cites it 3× “Housing specialists are authorized by statute in G. L. c. 185C, § 16. “The first justice of a particular housing court may appoint, .”
Carter v. Lynn Hous. Auth., 880 N.E.2d 778 (Mass. 2008). “nce, repair, and rehabilitation of dwelling units; the problems of landlord and tenant as they pertain to dwelling units; the types of funds and services available to assist landlords and tenants in the financing and resolution of such problems; the federal and state laws, rules…”
City of Boston v. Kouns, 495 N.E.2d 317 (Mass. App. Ct. 1986). “185A, § 16, and now contained in G. L. c. 185C, § 16, without change) buttressed its conclusion as to the limited jurisdiction of the Housing Court.”
Commonwealth v. Lappas, 655 N.E.2d 386 (Mass. App. Ct. 1995). “Housing Court judges, for example, may call upon the services of housing specialists who, under G. L. c. 185C, § 16, are to be knowledgeable about maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of dwelling units and the problems of landlords and tenants.”
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