An Act enabling local options for tenant protections

This bill allows Massachusetts cities and towns to adopt local tenant protections through their own ordinances. Municipalities can choose to implement rent stabilization for multi-family housing (excluding owner-occupant units with ≤3 dwellings and new construction), require "just cause" for evictions (meaning landlords must have valid reasons like nonpayment or lease violations), and establish fair return standards for property owners. It also permits local regulation of tenant fees and creates pathways for income-based housing assistance. The law directly affects tenants and landlords in communities that adopt these provisions, while exempting owner-occupied homes with three or fewer units and housing built within the last 15 years.