An Act establishing a commission to study the impact of shifting residential broker fees from tenants to landlords

HD 3685 establishes a commission to study shifting residential real estate broker fee responsibility from tenants to landlords in Massachusetts. The commission, including housing officials, legislative members, real estate and tenant advocates, and a housing economist, will examine economic impacts on landlords and tenants, rental market effects (affordability, availability), brokerage practices, and lessons from other jurisdictions. It must hold public hearings statewide and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the legislature within one year. This bill directly affects tenants, landlords, and real estate brokers by analyzing the potential consequences of changing who pays broker fees in rental transactions. The commission's work will inform future legislative decisions but does not change current fee structures.