An Act enabling a local option empty homes tax on vacant units in residential buildings

This bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to choose whether to implement a tax on vacant residential units in apartment buildings with six or more units. Under the proposed law, property owners would need to register empty units with local tax assessors within 30 days of them becoming vacant, and the tax would be calculated based on the unit's previous rental rate or a rate set by the municipality. The legislation includes specific exemptions for units undergoing active redevelopment, owners facing significant medical issues, military personnel deployed overseas, new inheritors, and those dealing with legal title disputes. Ultimately, the measure gives local communities the option to generate revenue by discouraging long-term vacancy in multi-unit residential properties.