Housing (Tenant Rights) in Massachusetts

passed · Massachusetts · House Aug 20, 2026

H 5554: An Act providing for tenant representation on the Great Barrington Housing Authority board

By Representative Davis of Great Barrington and Senator Mark, a joint petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Leigh Davis relative to tenant representation on the Great Barrington Housing Authority board. Housing.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 13, 2026

SD 4041: An Act relative to transit planning and anti-displacement protections

By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill) (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Liz Miranda for legislation relative to transit planning and anti-displacement protections. Housing.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights Zoning Public Transit

introduced · Massachusetts · House Jul 6, 2026

HD 5824: A monthly report of the Executive Office of the Trial Court (under Section 15(c) of Chapter 239 of the General Laws) submitting its report on filings, actions, and dispositions of summary process cases relative to permanent rental protections

This bill requires the Executive Office of the Trial Court to submit a monthly report detailing the number of summary process cases involving permanent rental protections. The report will track filings, actions, and dispositions of these cases to provide data on how often landlords use eviction proceedings to remove tenants with such protections. By collecting this information regularly, the bill aims to increase transparency regarding the frequency and handling of these specific legal matters. The measure directly affects the trial court's administrative reporting processes and does not alter the underlying laws governing rental protections.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 26, 2026

H 5301: An Act to regulate junk fees in rental housing and advance housing production

This bill addresses two main areas: regulating unfair fees in rental housing and encouraging housing production. It limits what landlords and brokers can charge tenants, allowing only first and last month's rent, a security deposit, and key costs, while prohibiting extra fees for lease renewals or adding optional charges like internet or insurance unless clearly described and opt-out options are provided. The bill also caps late payment penalties at five percent of monthly rent and restricts when landlords can charge attorney fees to tenants. Additionally, it promotes housing development by reducing parking requirements near transit stations, defining underutilized land for redevelopment, and ensuring publicly owned property is prioritized for low and moderate income housing.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 5222: An Act relative to preventing algorithmic rent fixing in the rental housing market

This bill creates a new chapter in Massachusetts law to prevent companies from using software to coordinate rental prices among landlords. It defines "service providers" as any entity that collects rental data and recommends prices to landlords, and prohibits landlords from paying these services to set or influence rent amounts. The law also bans agreements among landlords not to compete with each other on pricing and makes it easier for tenants to sue for violations by removing barriers like arbitration clauses and class-action waivers. Landlords who violate the rules could face legal penalties, and successful plaintiffs would be entitled to recover their legal costs and attorney fees.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

introduced · Massachusetts · House Jan 5, 2026

HD 5490: A monthly report of the Executive Office of the Trial Court (under Section 15(c) of Chapter 239 of the General Laws, as amended by Section 64 of Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023) submitting its report on filings, actions, and dispositions of summary process cases relative to permanent rental protections

This bill requires the Executive Office of the Trial Court to submit a monthly report on summary process cases involving permanent rental protections. The report will detail the number of filings, actions taken, and case dispositions for these specific housing-related eviction proceedings. It directly affects the state's trial court administration and stakeholders monitoring rental protection enforcement. The bill establishes a routine data reporting mechanism to track how these cases are processed over time.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 2983: An Act prohibiting algorithmic rent setting

Senate, March 12, 2026 -- The committee on Housing, to whom was referred the petitions (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 994) of Cindy F. Friedman and Julian Cyr for legislation to prohibit algorithmic rent setting; and (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1016) of Michael O. Moore, Patricia D. Jehlen and James B. Eldridge for legislation to establish the Preventing Algorithmic Rent Fixing in the Rental Housing Market Act., report the accompanying bill (Senate, No. 2983).

Topics ✓ Housing ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 2982: An Act relative to the use of credit reporting for rent-subsidized tenants

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).

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

passed · Massachusetts · House May 7, 2026

H 5008: 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.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 5095: An Act relative to consumer rights of renters

This bill (H 5095) limits how far in advance landlords can require tenants to sign new leases. It prohibits landlords or their agents from demanding lease agreements more than four months before the current lease ends. The law directly affects renters and residential landlords in Massachusetts by preventing long-term lease commitments that restrict tenant flexibility. The key provision is a clear, time-based restriction on lease signing timelines.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

All housing bills