Bill > H1378

This bill aims to enable local options for tenant protections in Massachusetts. The key provisions include: 1. Allowing municipalities to regulate rent and evictions in multi-family housing, including providing for fair return standards and income-based eligibility requirements. 2. Establishing just cause eviction protections, where landlords can only evict tenants for specific reasons, such as failure to pay rent or cause substantial damage. 3. Requiring landlords to provide a form to tenants facing eviction for non-payment of rent, which includes information on rental assistance programs and legal rights. 4. Allowing municipalities to regulate tenant deposits, fees, and broker fees, including providing options for tenants to pay security deposits and last month's rent in installments. 5. Enabling municipalities to establish anti-displacement zones to target the implementation or exemption of these tenant protection measures in areas where low, moderate, or middle-income households are at risk of displacement. This bill aims to give municipalities more tools to address housing affordability and security issues in their local communities.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H1378