An Act to Protect Tenants by Limiting Rent Increases

H 5008 is a proposed bill that would limit annual rent increases for most residential tenants in Massachusetts. It caps rent hikes at the lower of the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase or 5% per year, applying to covered dwelling units (most rentals except owner-occupied buildings with ≤4 units, regulated housing, short-term rentals, or new constructions). Landlords must use the rent amount as of January 31, 2026, as the base for future increases, and must provide written exemption notices for units that don’t qualify. Violations would be treated as unfair business practices under Chapter 93A, allowing tenants to seek remedies through the attorney general. The bill does not override existing tenant protections under state or federal law.