Housing

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 8, 2025

S 998: An Act to guarantee a tenant’s first right of refusal

This bill gives tenants in multi-family residential buildings (excluding certain types like single-family homes or shelters) a first right to purchase their property if the owner sells due to foreclosure, short sale, or deed in lieu. To qualify, at least 51% of tenant-occupied units must form a Tenant Association. If the association meets requirements, it gets priority to buy the property before outside buyers, and the property must later be maintained as long-term affordable housing for 30 years through recorded deed restrictions. Municipalities can choose to adopt this local option.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingGuarantees tenant's first right of refusal, a direct tenant protection measure advancing tenant rights in housing95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1497: An Act relative to avoiding senior homelessness and maintaining senior housing stabilization of rents

HD 3599 limits annual rent increases for seniors over 60 in private rental housing when their unit is sold to a new owner. It caps rent hikes at the lesser of the local Consumer Price Index change or 5% for five years, provided the tenant is on a public housing waitlist or agrees to apply. The law applies to most private rental units but excludes owner-occupied buildings with two units or less and units already regulated by public authorities. It requires cities/towns to ensure these stabilized units are available to seniors earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly stabilizes rents to prevent senior homelessness and maintain housing affordability, directly protecting tenants and advancing housing stability in distressed markets.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1557: An Act creating an office of tenant protections

This bill creates a new Office of Tenant Protections within Massachusetts' Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. It directly affects tenants and landlords by establishing a dedicated office to enforce existing minimum housing standards for habitability (defined in state regulations). The office gains authority to inspect properties, issue noncompliance orders, hold hearings, and impose fines for violations of these standards, working alongside health departments. Final enforcement decisions will be subject to judicial appeal, following procedures similar to those for health board decisions. The bill does not create new housing standards but formalizes enforcement of current regulations (105 CMR 410.000 and 940 CMR 3.17).

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates an office focused on tenant protections, directly advancing tenant rights in housing policy per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jan 29, 2026

S 960: An Act authorizing the town of Brookline to implement rent stabilization and tenant eviction protections

By Ms. Creem, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 960) of Cynthia Stone Creem (by vote of the town) for legislation to authorize the town of Brookline to implement rent stabilization and tenant eviction protections. Housing. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly authorizes rent stabilization and tenant eviction protections, directly strengthening tenant rights and housing stability per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 1553: An Act to regulate junk fees in rental housing

This bill (HD 2996) regulates excessive fees in rental housing by limiting upfront costs landlords can charge tenants. It prohibits fees for "holding over" after lease expiration, lease renewals, or substitutions, and bans mandatory charges for amenities like internet or insurance. Landlords must disclose optional fees clearly (including cost and cancellation options) and cannot force electronic payments or charge for not using them. Violations require landlords to pay tenants 3x the excess fee plus legal costs. The bill directly affects tenants and landlords in Massachusetts rental agreements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRegulates excessive rental fees, protecting tenants from unfair costs and improving housing affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jan 12, 2026

H 1577: Resolve to plan, preserve, and protect

This bill creates a pilot program allowing cities and towns to apply for participation in a "tenant opportunity to purchase" initiative, directly affecting qualifying communities with high rental rates (70%+), displacement issues, and poverty. Eligible areas must meet specific criteria related to rental housing density, eviction data, and poverty levels, with up to 15 zip codes selected for the program. The pilot requires the housing office to establish regulations by December 2025, accept applications by June 2026, and operate for five years, ending with a report on program outcomes. It focuses on enabling renters in targeted communities to potentially purchase their homes while addressing displacement concerns through structured local planning.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates local tenant purchase pilot program, enabling tenants to buy properties and strengthening tenant ownership rights and affordable housing access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 1489: An Act creating the tenant’s escrow accounts

HD 1433 creates "tenant’s escrow accounts" to help rental tenants save for home purchases. Tenants can voluntarily contribute a portion of their rent to these accounts, and landlords may also contribute (with the state matching those contributions). Landlords who contribute can deduct three times the contribution amount from their annual taxable income. The program is administered by the executive office of housing, with funds held in a dedicated "Tenant’s Escrow Fund" that is exempt from certain state financial rules. The bill directly affects renters seeking homeownership and landlords participating in the savings program.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tenant savings program to assist home purchases, directly advancing affordable housing access for renters.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 4, 2025

S 973: An Act reforming incentives for landlords

By Ms. Dooner, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 973) of Kelly A. Dooner for legislation to prohibit any financial incentives for landlords providing emergency housing for nonresident migrants. Housing.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill prohibits financial incentives for landlords providing emergency housing to nonresident migrants, limiting housing availability for this group. This restricts a housing program, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill prohibits financial incentives for landlords providing emergency housing to nonresident migrants, restricting access to housing services for immigrants. Aligns with 'oppose' indicators of limiting immigrant services.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 13, 2026

H 3990: An Act relative to stabilizing tenants and small property owners

This bill modifies Massachusetts housing assistance rules to better support tenants facing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. It removes a requirement that tenants must have a landlord's "notice to quit" to qualify for housing assistance. The executive office must develop clear criteria for determining homelessness risk, in consultation with housing experts and after seeking public feedback. These changes aim to streamline access to support for vulnerable tenants while maintaining administrative transparency.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill title explicitly targets 'stabilizing tenants' and 'small property owners,' indicating tenant protection measures directly addressing housing topic with clear intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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passed · Massachusetts · House Nov 7, 2025

H 1477: An Act enabling local options for tenant protections

This bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to adopt local tenant protections through their own ordinances. Municipalities can choose to implement rent stabilization for multi-family housing (excluding owner-occupant units with ≤3 dwellings and new construction), require "just cause" for evictions (meaning landlords must have valid reasons like nonpayment or lease violations), and establish fair return standards for property owners. It also permits local regulation of tenant fees and creates pathways for income-based housing assistance. The law directly affects tenants and landlords in communities that adopt these provisions, while exempting owner-occupied homes with three or fewer units and housing built within the last 15 years.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves prohibition on rent control and provides tenant/foreclosure protections, advancing tenant rights and housing stability per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages Renters Tenant Rights

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