Senate, December 11, 2025 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1008) of Joan B. Lovely, James K. Hawkins, James B. Eldridge, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the Massachusetts rental voucher program, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2826).
This bill requires state-aided public housing for the elderly to allow pet ownership under specific, non-discriminatory rules. It prohibits outright bans on dogs (including breed-based restrictions), declawing, or evictions solely for having a pet, while permitting reasonable requirements like pet deposits (max $160 or one month’s rent), spaying/neutering, and emergency care plans. Housing authorities must develop written policies for different housing types (apartments, single-family homes, etc.) and establish pet committees for grievance handling. An advisory group will help update regulations and create guidance for implementing these policies, with violations subject to penalties under existing law.
Senate, December 11, 2025 -- The committee on Housing, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 990) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation relative to manufactured housing communities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1019) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation relative to manufactured housing communities; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1020) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to provide pre-service training free of charge for members of mobile home rent control boards, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2828).
This bill (H 1664) modifies Massachusetts court procedures for rent escrow in eviction cases. It requires tenants who withhold rent (e.g., to cover repairs) to deposit the withheld amount into a court-held account instead of paying it directly to landlords. The deposit covers rent due under the lease, calculated from when withholding began, and must be held until the eviction case concludes. If the tenant wins, funds go first toward repairs; if the landlord wins, the tenant must pay the full amount. The bill is currently pending review by the Judiciary Committee and is not yet law.
HD 2254 creates a new rent escrow system in Massachusetts for tenants who withhold rent due to landlord failure to maintain habitable housing. It requires banks to establish accounts payable only with signatures from both the tenant and landlord (or property owner), without additional verification for account setup. Tenants must deposit withheld rent into this escrow account (or court-controlled/attorney-controlled accounts) before withholding rent, and must meet specific conditions including health department inspections and written notice to the landlord. Landlords must fix violations within 15 days (or a reasonable time) after notice, and the escrow funds are paid to the landlord per court order after resolving the dispute. This directly affects tenants and landlords in housing code violation cases involving rent withholding.
HD 4947 amends Provincetown's Year-Round Market Rate Housing Trust Fund (formerly called "Rental") to expand its purpose to include year-round housing ownership opportunities, not just rentals. The bill updates the fund's name, revises the governing board structure to include 5 trustees and 2 alternates, and modifies language throughout to replace "rental" with "housing" or add "or ownership." These changes directly affect how the trust fund operates in Provincetown, enabling it to support both rental and ownership housing options. The amendments take effect upon the bill's passage.
SD 987 establishes clear procedures for handling bed bug infestations in multi-unit rental housing (excluding single-family homes). It requires tenants to report infestations in writing and allow landlords access for treatment, while landlords must inspect within 5 business days, hire a certified pest control expert within 10 days, and notify surrounding units. Landlords must verify units are bug-free before leasing and are not liable for infestations if they follow the bill’s requirements. Tenants who interfere with treatment may face liability for damages, but the law limits landlord responsibility when proper steps are taken. The bill applies specifically to rental properties with multiple dwelling units.
HD 495 limits annual rent increases for most residential tenants to 5% plus the consumer price index or 10%, whichever is lower, affecting landlords and tenants in non-subsidized housing. Landlords may exceed this limit only with written justification for major improvements (like structural repairs), and tenants can appeal increases through a new rental arbitrator position in the Attorney General's office. The arbitrator must resolve disputes within 90 days, order rent refunds for violations, and impose fines up to $1,000 for repeated offenses. Landlords cannot deny lease renewals to avoid these limits, and the arbitrator must annually report on rental market trends.
This bill (HD 1886) creates a court-ordered rent escrow process for tenants facing eviction in Massachusetts. It requires tenants who want to withhold rent for repairs to deposit the full amount due (including fair market value from when withholding began) into court escrow during eviction proceedings. Funds held in escrow must first cover repair costs if the tenant wins the case. Tenants who fail to make the deposit face a mandatory court trial without delay. The bill directly affects tenants in eviction cases who need to withhold rent to address housing issues.
This bill (HD 1141) updates Massachusetts assistance programs for elders and people with disabilities. It requires that individuals experiencing homelessness - those with no permanent residence or staying in temporary shelters - to receive the same payment rates as those paying for shelter (like rent or mortgage), with the department creating rules to implement this. It also mandates annual budget increases for recipients based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index plus an additional percentage approved by the legislature, and sets the program's maximum benefit level equal to a similar program in Chapter 118. These changes directly affect low-income elders and disabled residents who are homeless or in temporary housing.
