An Act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants

This bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to pass local laws that limit how much landlords can raise rents and restrict when they can evict tenants. Municipalities would adopt these rules by voting to accept the chapter and then creating specific ordinances that cap annual rent increases at the lower of the Consumer Price Index or 5 percent. The protections apply to most rental units but exclude small owner-occupied buildings, dormitories, elderly care facilities, and new buildings with a recent occupancy certificate. Additionally, the bill requires that evictions or lease non-renewals only happen for specific reasons such as unpaid rent, lease violations, criminal activity, or the owner converting the unit to a cooperative.