Senate, March 12, 2026 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 995) of Adam Gomez for legislation relative to the use of credit reporting in housing, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2982).
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.
Senate, December 11, 2025 -- The committee on Housing to whom was referred the petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1008) of Joan B. Lovely, James K. Hawkins, James B. Eldridge, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to the Massachusetts rental voucher program, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2826).
This bill requires state-aided public housing for the elderly to allow pet ownership under specific, non-discriminatory rules. It prohibits outright bans on dogs (including breed-based restrictions), declawing, or evictions solely for having a pet, while permitting reasonable requirements like pet deposits (max $160 or one month’s rent), spaying/neutering, and emergency care plans. Housing authorities must develop written policies for different housing types (apartments, single-family homes, etc.) and establish pet committees for grievance handling. An advisory group will help update regulations and create guidance for implementing these policies, with violations subject to penalties under existing law.
Senate, December 11, 2025 -- The committee on Housing, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 990) of Paul R. Feeney for legislation relative to manufactured housing communities; (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1019) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation relative to manufactured housing communities; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1020) of Jacob R. Oliveira for legislation to provide pre-service training free of charge for members of mobile home rent control boards, report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2828).
This bill (H 1664) modifies Massachusetts court procedures for rent escrow in eviction cases. It requires tenants who withhold rent (e.g., to cover repairs) to deposit the withheld amount into a court-held account instead of paying it directly to landlords. The deposit covers rent due under the lease, calculated from when withholding began, and must be held until the eviction case concludes. If the tenant wins, funds go first toward repairs; if the landlord wins, the tenant must pay the full amount. The bill is currently pending review by the Judiciary Committee and is not yet law.
HD 2254 creates a new rent escrow system in Massachusetts for tenants who withhold rent due to landlord failure to maintain habitable housing. It requires banks to establish accounts payable only with signatures from both the tenant and landlord (or property owner), without additional verification for account setup. Tenants must deposit withheld rent into this escrow account (or court-controlled/attorney-controlled accounts) before withholding rent, and must meet specific conditions including health department inspections and written notice to the landlord. Landlords must fix violations within 15 days (or a reasonable time) after notice, and the escrow funds are paid to the landlord per court order after resolving the dispute. This directly affects tenants and landlords in housing code violation cases involving rent withholding.
HD 4947 amends Provincetown's Year-Round Market Rate Housing Trust Fund (formerly called "Rental") to expand its purpose to include year-round housing ownership opportunities, not just rentals. The bill updates the fund's name, revises the governing board structure to include 5 trustees and 2 alternates, and modifies language throughout to replace "rental" with "housing" or add "or ownership." These changes directly affect how the trust fund operates in Provincetown, enabling it to support both rental and ownership housing options. The amendments take effect upon the bill's passage.
SD 987 establishes clear procedures for handling bed bug infestations in multi-unit rental housing (excluding single-family homes). It requires tenants to report infestations in writing and allow landlords access for treatment, while landlords must inspect within 5 business days, hire a certified pest control expert within 10 days, and notify surrounding units. Landlords must verify units are bug-free before leasing and are not liable for infestations if they follow the bill’s requirements. Tenants who interfere with treatment may face liability for damages, but the law limits landlord responsibility when proper steps are taken. The bill applies specifically to rental properties with multiple dwelling units.
HD 495 limits annual rent increases for most residential tenants to 5% plus the consumer price index or 10%, whichever is lower, affecting landlords and tenants in non-subsidized housing. Landlords may exceed this limit only with written justification for major improvements (like structural repairs), and tenants can appeal increases through a new rental arbitrator position in the Attorney General's office. The arbitrator must resolve disputes within 90 days, order rent refunds for violations, and impose fines up to $1,000 for repeated offenses. Landlords cannot deny lease renewals to avoid these limits, and the arbitrator must annually report on rental market trends.
