Housing (Renters) in Massachusetts

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 22, 2026

H 5594: An Act significantly alleviating poverty

This bill mandates that shelters, schools, and correctional facilities provide free menstrual products to individuals who menstruate without stigmatizing them. It also increases cash assistance for low-income families by raising monthly benefit standards to 50 percent of the federal poverty level and adding specific allowances for rent, clothing, and children. Additionally, the legislation introduces a $50 monthly rental allowance and a one-time $500 clothing allowance for eligible children, while expanding transitional aid for pregnant individuals without dependent children. The bill further clarifies that child support payments collected from recipients must be paid directly to the family and outlines specific circumstances under which individuals may be exempt from cooperating with child support enforcement agencies.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 6238: An Act authorizing the city of Salem to increase the short-term rental community impact fee for the purpose of school and municipal facilities

This bill allows the City of Salem to raise the fee charged on short-term rental properties from 3 percent to a maximum of 6 percent of the rent for each stay. The additional money collected from this increase must be placed in a special fund dedicated exclusively to planning, building, and maintaining schools and other municipal facilities. The law specifically targets professionally managed and owner-adjacent short-term rental units, ensuring the new revenue supports local infrastructure without affecting the city's ability to seek outside grants.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters

passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 7, 2026

H 5508: An Act relative to veterans’ housing stability

By Representative Hong of Lowell, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Tara T. Hong for legislation to establish a veteran rental assistance bridge program. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Renters Veteran Housing

in committee · Massachusetts · House Jun 10, 2026

HD 6191: An Act relative to veterans’ housing stability

By Representative Hong of Lowell, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Tara T. Hong for legislation to establish a veteran rental assistance bridge program. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Renters Veteran Housing

introduced · Massachusetts · House May 7, 2026

H 5408: REPORT of the SPECIAL JOINT COMMITTEE on INITIATIVE PETITIONS on the INITIATIVE PETITION of ADAM GOMEZ AND OTHERS FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT TO PROTECT TENANTS BY LIMITING RENT INCREASES (see House, No. 5008).

This document is a report from a Massachusetts legislative committee recommending that the General Court take no action on a citizen-initiated bill to limit rent increases. The proposed measure would cap annual rent hikes at the lower of 5% or the Consumer Price Index, applying statewide to most residential units while excluding small owner-occupied buildings, new constructions, and certain non-profit or transient rentals. Although the committee heard testimony from experts and advocates on both sides, the majority concluded that the bill should not be approved as written. Consequently, the bill will not become law unless it is introduced and passed through the standard legislative process by future lawmakers.

Topics ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 6149: An Act amending Chapter 305 of the Acts of 2016 relative to the year-round market rate rental housing trust fund in the town of Provincetown

This bill amends the Year-Round Market Rate Rental Housing Trust Fund in Provincetown to explicitly include year-round ownership opportunities alongside rental housing. By changing the fund's name to the Year-Round Market Rate Housing Trust Fund, the legislation broadens its scope to support both renting and buying homes for residents. The changes also update the board structure to include two alternates and clarify that the fund can address both rental and ownership needs. These adjustments allow the town to use the trust fund for a wider range of housing solutions without altering its core funding or operational rules.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Renters

passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 30, 2026

H 5456: An Act amending Chapter 305 of the Acts of 2016 relative to the year-round market rate rental housing trust fund in the town of Provincetown

By Representative Luddy of Orleans and Senator Cyr, a joint petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 5456) of Hadley Luddy (by vote of the town) relative to the year-round market rate rental housing trust fund in the town of Provincetown. Municipalities and Regional Government. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Renters

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 5301: An Act to regulate junk fees in rental housing and advance housing production

This bill addresses two main areas: regulating unfair fees in rental housing and encouraging housing production. It limits what landlords and brokers can charge tenants, allowing only first and last month's rent, a security deposit, and key costs, while prohibiting extra fees for lease renewals or adding optional charges like internet or insurance unless clearly described and opt-out options are provided. The bill also caps late payment penalties at five percent of monthly rent and restricts when landlords can charge attorney fees to tenants. Additionally, it promotes housing development by reducing parking requirements near transit stations, defining underutilized land for redevelopment, and ensuring publicly owned property is prioritized for low and moderate income housing.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 5222: An Act relative to preventing algorithmic rent fixing in the rental housing market

This bill creates a new chapter in Massachusetts law to prevent companies from using software to coordinate rental prices among landlords. It defines "service providers" as any entity that collects rental data and recommends prices to landlords, and prohibits landlords from paying these services to set or influence rent amounts. The law also bans agreements among landlords not to compete with each other on pricing and makes it easier for tenants to sue for violations by removing barriers like arbitration clauses and class-action waivers. Landlords who violate the rules could face legal penalties, and successful plaintiffs would be entitled to recover their legal costs and attorney fees.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 2983: An Act prohibiting algorithmic rent setting

Senate, March 12, 2026 -- The committee on Housing, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 994) of Cindy F. Friedman and Julian Cyr for legislation to prohibit algorithmic rent setting; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1016) of Michael O. Moore, Patricia D. Jehlen and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish the Preventing Algorithmic Rent Fixing in the Rental Housing Market Act., report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2983).

Topics ✓ Housing ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

All housing bills