Housing (Renters)

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.

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.

HD 2116 requires comprehensive background checks for all applicants to Massachusetts housing programs (including public housing, rental assistance, and transitional housing). The checks cover criminal history (state, federal, and international), employment, education, immigration status, financial history, and sex offender registry status. Applicants with recent violent crimes, sexual offenses, or fraud convictions (within 10 years) may be deemed ineligible, though exceptions for rehabilitation or compelling need are allowed. The law mandates secure data handling by housing agencies and the Registry of Motor Vehicles, ensuring compliance with privacy laws like GDPR.