The Real Estate Title Protection Act requires mortgage servicers to send homeowners regular statements listing the current mortgagee, note owner, and servicer - along with the dates each entity took over. It mandates that mortgage assignments be recorded within 30 days (with exceptions for late filings supported by an affidavit or court order) and defines key terms like "mortgagee of record" to reduce confusion about property ownership. This directly affects homeowners (who gain clarity on mortgage holders), municipalities (which can better identify tax liabilities), and mortgage servicers (who must comply with new disclosure rules). The bill supersedes conflicting existing laws about recording real estate documents, ensuring consistent title records across Massachusetts.
By Mr. Driscoll, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 221) of William J. Driscoll, Jr. for legislation to clarify a consistent statewide minimum age for the sale and purchase of adult-use products. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
HD 3299 would require landlords to have "good cause" (such as nonpayment of rent or lease violations) to evict tenants in most residential properties. It caps annual rent increases at 10% or the local inflation rate (based on the Consumer Price Index), whichever is lower, and defines specific exemptions. Exemptions include small landlords (owning ≤10 units), owner-occupied homes, hospitals, senior housing, student dorms, and properties with income-based affordability requirements. This law applies only in cities or towns that formally adopt it, with additional rent thresholds exempting higher-priced units.
HD 3767 (An Act relative to summary process) creates a two-tier process for handling summary court cases in Massachusetts. The first tier requires parties to meet to discuss the case, explore mediation or resolution options, and plan for trial - without penalties for non-attendance. The second tier applies to unresolved cases, where the Clerk’s Office must send written notice of the trial date. This bill directly affects individuals and entities involved in summary process cases (typically small claims or civil matters), changing court procedure to prioritize early resolution efforts before trial.
HD 3974 creates a new specialized court division within Massachusetts' superior court to handle all residential foreclosure cases. This division will centralize jurisdiction over foreclosure actions - including evictions, title disputes, mortgage modifications, and related civil and criminal matters - currently spread across multiple court departments. Key provisions require the division to provide online resources and mediation services for self-represented homeowners, transfer eligible cases from other courts without additional fees, and waive recordation fees for indigent parties. The bill directly affects homeowners facing foreclosure (especially those without lawyers), courts handling these cases, and the state court system by streamlining processes and improving access to justice.
This bill (HD 4097) requires Massachusetts property registry districts to automatically remove racially discriminatory housing restrictions from property titles when identified during title processing. Specifically, if a restriction is void under existing law (Section 23B of Chapter 184), the registry must issue a new certificate without the prohibited language and add an educational memorandum explaining the removal. It directly affects property owners and registry districts by changing how title records are updated. The bill mandates annual reporting of these changes to the Office of Fair Housing and provides a court process for resolving complex cases.
HD 4021 protects tenants in Massachusetts from landlord retaliation related to immigration status. It prohibits landlords from threatening to report a tenant's immigration status (unless required by law) or suing to evict based solely on that status. Landlords can still follow legal requirements like court orders, verify financial qualifications, or address lease violations. Tenants who face prohibited actions can seek actual damages, up to $2,000 per violation, attorney fees, or other court-ordered relief. The bill explicitly states immigration status cannot be used in housing rights cases unless directly relevant to the claim.
HD 344 allows certain land-related cases in Massachusetts to be transferred more quickly to the Land Court's permit session. Specifically, it enables parties to file a notice within 30 days of serving the complaint (if the case is within the permit session's jurisdiction and doesn't claim a jury trial), triggering an automatic transfer. The notice must include proof of jurisdiction, confirmation of no jury trial claim, and attachments of all case documents, suspending the original court's proceedings until the transfer is complete. This process streamlines case handling for eligible land disputes without jury demands.
HD 281 creates a legal right for residential property owners or tenants to sue neighbors who install video cameras on adjacent properties to record backyard activities without written consent, specifically when done to harass, annoy, threaten, or alarm. The bill defines "backyard" as the area extending beyond the rear footprint of a home to the property boundaries. It explicitly excludes law enforcement officers acting within their official duties from this provision. The law directly affects homeowners and renters whose backyards are targeted by unconsented surveillance, establishing a clear remedy for unauthorized video recording.
This bill defines "historic home" as properties listed in Massachusetts' State Register of Historic Places or marked with a plaque under specific state laws. It prohibits willfully damaging such homes - including removing materials like copper gutters, breaking walls, or defacing features - and imposes penalties of fines ($100-$1,000) or up to two years in jail. Convicted individuals must also reimburse homeowners for all damage costs. The law directly affects owners of designated historic properties and anyone who intentionally harms them. It creates new criminal penalties for specific acts of damage to existing protected properties, without altering the criteria for historic designation.
HD 521 amends Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 259, Section 7, by removing the phrase "or a licensed real estate broker or real estate salesman" from the written real estate service agreement requirement. This change eliminates a specific regulatory provision that previously applied to licensed real estate brokers and salesmen. As a result, these professionals will no longer be subject to the written agreement requirement under this law. The bill is a technical amendment to existing law and does not alter other aspects of real estate service agreements.
This bill (HD 1450) regulates how mortgage servicers handle subordinate mortgages (secondary home loans) in Massachusetts. It prohibits specific practices like failing to send required notices for 12+ months, not providing periodic statements, or demanding payment after the statute of limitations expires. Borrowers gain new rights: creditors must provide detailed notices listing prohibited practices, and borrowers can petition court to stop foreclosure if violations occurred. Courts can then order remedies like waiving fees, halting foreclosure, or deleting incorrect credit reports, with creditors liable for actual damages and attorney fees for violations. All required notices must be in English and Spanish, clearly marked as important.
