Bill > S22

This bill authorizes the city of Somerville to establish local rent regulation and tenant protection measures in response to a housing emergency characterized by insufficient affordable housing, rapidly increasing rental costs, and stagnant resident incomes. The bill allows Somerville to create an ordinance that limits annual rent increases to a maximum of 5% (calculated using the Consumer Price Index plus two percent), with specific exemptions for certain types of properties such as owner-occupied multi-unit buildings, newly constructed units, public housing, transient lodging, and dormitories. The legislation also establishes "just cause" eviction protections, meaning landlords can only evict tenants for specific reasons like non-payment of rent, lease violations, criminal activity, or the owner's personal use of the property. Additionally, the bill permits the city to require relocation plans and payments for tenants displaced by certain owner actions, and it creates a framework for administering and enforcing these rent regulation measures. The bill aims to protect residents from housing insecurity, excessive rent increases, and unexpected displacement while providing some flexibility for property owners through carefully defined exemptions and fair return standards.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S22