This bill creates a new Office of Tenant Protections within Massachusetts' Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. It directly affects tenants and landlords by establishing a dedicated office to enforce existing minimum housing standards for habitability (defined in state regulations). The office gains authority to inspect properties, issue noncompliance orders, hold hearings, and impose fines for violations of these standards, working alongside health departments. Final enforcement decisions will be subject to judicial appeal, following procedures similar to those for health board decisions. The bill does not create new housing standards but formalizes enforcement of current regulations (105 CMR 410.000 and 940 CMR 3.17).
This bill allows Massachusetts building officials to delegate inspection duties for short-term rentals to appointed designees. It specifically permits inspections of both non-primary owner-occupied and primary owner-occupied short-term rentals under the International Building Code 2021 (780 CMR Table 110.7). The change streamlines the inspection process by enabling officials to use qualified designees instead of personally conducting all inspections. This directly affects short-term rental property owners and local building departments in Massachusetts. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.
By Representative Connolly of Cambridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1480) of Mike Connolly for legislation to authorize supplemental financing of housing first programs, state public housing renovations, and other housing programs and to make related changes in certain laws. Housing.
HD 3813 prohibits landlords from using credit reports for tenant screening or requiring credit-related questions for tenants receiving government rent subsidies (like Section 8 vouchers). It directly affects subsidized tenants and landlords, banning credit checks unless required by federal/state law. Key provisions require landlords to obtain separate written consent for any credit report use, disclose reasons for adverse actions, allow tenants to dispute report inaccuracies, and cover all associated costs. The law also prohibits retaliation against tenants who exercise these rights or report violations. This bill takes effect 90 days after passage.
HD 1433 creates "tenant’s escrow accounts" to help rental tenants save for home purchases. Tenants can voluntarily contribute a portion of their rent to these accounts, and landlords may also contribute (with the state matching those contributions). Landlords who contribute can deduct three times the contribution amount from their annual taxable income. The program is administered by the executive office of housing, with funds held in a dedicated "Tenant’s Escrow Fund" that is exempt from certain state financial rules. The bill directly affects renters seeking homeownership and landlords participating in the savings program.
This bill repeals Sections 28, 52, and 144 of Chapter 150 from the 2024 Acts, which previously governed landlords' rights to request tenant information. The repeal removes specific provisions that allowed landlords to obtain certain tenant details under defined circumstances. As a result, landlords will no longer have these legally established rights to access that information under the repealed sections. The change directly affects landlords operating under Massachusetts law who previously relied on these provisions.
This bill modifies Massachusetts housing assistance rules to better support tenants facing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. It removes a requirement that tenants must have a landlord's "notice to quit" to qualify for housing assistance. The executive office must develop clear criteria for determining homelessness risk, in consultation with housing experts and after seeking public feedback. These changes aim to streamline access to support for vulnerable tenants while maintaining administrative transparency.
By Representatives Badger of Plymouth and LaNatra of Kingston, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 9) of Michelle L. Badger (by vote of the town) for legislation to establish a Plymouth land bank in the town of Plymouth. Housing. [Local Approval Received.]
This bill allows the Town of Athol to establish rent regulations and a rent board for manufactured housing parks (mobile home parks) within its borders. The rent board can adjust rents based on factors like property taxes, maintenance costs, and capital improvements, while requiring park owners to register park information under penalty of perjury. It also gives the rent board authority to regulate evictions, with its orders serving as a defense in eviction lawsuits. Violations of rent regulations carry fines up to $1,000. The bill applies exclusively to Athol and takes effect upon passage.
HD 3816, the "Safe Communities Act," prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from asking about immigration status during routine interactions (except when legally required) and restricts cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It requires written consent with clear explanations in multiple languages before DHS interviews of people in custody, and bans automatic notifications to DHS about individuals' release from custody (except for end-of-sentence releases). The law also prohibits police from acting as immigration officers under federal agreements and mandates training for law enforcement on these provisions. These changes directly affect all Massachusetts residents, especially immigrant communities, and apply to state/local police, sheriffs, and correctional facilities.
By Representative Ayers of Quincy, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Bruce J. Ayers relative to fraternal organizations conducting bazaars. Economic Development and Emerging Technologies.
By Representative Pease of Westfield, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kelly W. Pease and Lindsay N. Sabadosa relative to battery storage facility permitting and penalties for noncompliance. Municipalities and Regional Government.
