In the world of Massachusetts real estate, information has always been a landlord’s greatest asset. But as of May 5, 2025, that asset is under pressure. The implementation of The Affordable Homes Act (Section 52) has fundamentally changed the rules of the game, making it harder for property owners to see the full history of the people they are trusting with their investments.

As eviction records begin to disappear from public view, many screening companies are simply throwing in the towel—leaving landlords to guess about an applicant’s reliability. At TenantTracks, we believe "guessing" isn't a business strategy.

We’ve pioneered a way to navigate these new regulations that keeps you protected, compliant, and fully informed. Here is how the landscape has changed—and how we are helping you stay ahead.

1. The Eviction "Blind Spot"

Under the new law, tenants can now petition courts to seal past eviction records. Once sealed, these records vanish from standard background checks.

• The Problem: Other screening companies have stopped providing MA eviction data entirely because they can't manage the complex compliance shift.
• The TenantTracks Solution: We remain a reliable source for MA eviction records. We’ve updated our systems to provide available data while strictly adhering to the new sealing mandates, ensuring you don't miss critical history.

2. The Truth About Criminal Data: Why Verification Matters

Most screening companies today rely on low-quality, automated databases. Because they lack a legally compliant process for verifying records, they often choose to omit criminal data entirely to avoid the hassle of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

At TenantTracks, we don't take shortcuts. On our Open Access platform, we provide comprehensive criminal data using a rigorous two-part investigation process:

• The Initial Scan: Our system performs a deep-dive scan for public records.
• The Human Verification: If the scan indicates potential criminal activity, our team manually investigates the data to see if it truly belongs to your applicant.
• The Compliance Standard: This verification is required by the FCRA for maximum accuracy. While it may take up to 72 hours to finalize (average time is 24 hours, but depends on jurisdictions, and weekends and holidays), it ensures your decisions are based on verified facts rather than incomplete automated scans.

3. Uncover Hidden Risks: The Performance Database

In the "Sealing Era," court records are no longer the finish line for tenant screening—they are just one piece of a fragmented puzzle. To fill the gaps left by new legislation, we’ve developed a crowdsourced strategy that functions like Waze for the rental market.

Just as drivers use Waze to report "hazards ahead" that aren't yet on official maps, our Exclusive Tenant Reporting Feature allows the landlord community to flag risks that haven't—or won't—reach a courtroom. When a court seals an eviction, that public record vanishes; however, the real-world history of that tenancy remains in our database.

Our "Performance Database" (available on both platforms) provides visibility into "off-book" behaviors, including:

• Consistent late payments or partial payments.
• Damage to property or lease violations.
• "Notices to Quit" that never reached a courtroom.

4. Choosing Your Strategy: Speed, Savings, or The Full Picture?

In Massachusetts, landlords generally cannot charge application fees to tenants. Since this cost is a direct overhead expense for you, we offer two distinct paths tailored to your specific needs.

Option A: The Optimum-10 (Instant Results & Budget Savings)

For property managers and realtors who need answers right now, the Optimum-10 account is built for speed. Because the property owner or manager inputs the tenant’s information directly, reports are run instantly.

At just $28.50 per report, it includes full credit reports, eviction history, and the ability to report your tenants' rent payments to credit bureaus for free. It is our most cost-effective option, though it does require a simple, no-cost office site inspection for security. Please note: Criminal data is not included in the Optimum-10 report.

Option B: Open Access (The Comprehensive "Full Picture")

If your priority is the highest level of safety, Open Access is the gold standard. At $39 per report, this platform gives you the "whole picture," including our specialized Two-Part Criminal Investigation.

The workflow here is different: you invite the tenant to apply via email, and they enter their own information. While this means the report timing depends on how quickly the tenant responds, it removes the need for site inspections or paperwork. It is the most thorough and compliant way to get a total background check—criminal records included—in the modern Massachusetts market.

Conclusion: Making Confident Decisions

The 2025 shift in Massachusetts law doesn't mean you have to stop screening; it means you have to screen smarter. While the state moves toward more privacy for tenants, your responsibility to protect your property and your current residents hasn't changed.

With over a decade of experience serving the Bay State, TenantTracks provides the bridge between compliance and security. Whether you choose the instant efficiency of Optimum-10 or the total transparency of Open Access, you are partnering with the only screening provider built specifically for the modern Massachusetts market.

Create Your Account & experience the TenantTracks difference today.