Bill > S960

This bill provides the town of Brookline with comprehensive legislative authority to address local housing challenges by implementing rent stabilization and tenant protection measures. The bill first acknowledges a housing emergency in Brookline, characterized by an inadequate supply of low-cost rental housing and significant risks of housing insecurity and displacement. Under the proposed legislation, Brookline can create bylaws to regulate rent increases in multi-family housing, limiting annual rent hikes to either the change in the consumer price index plus three percent or a maximum of seven percent, whichever is lower. The bill also establishes extensive protections against evictions, specifying numerous "just cause" conditions under which a tenant can be legally removed from a rental unit, such as non-payment of rent, lease violations, or the owner's legitimate need to occupy the unit. Additionally, the legislation empowers Brookline to create regulations around condominium and cooperative conversions and property demolitions or substantial renovations, including requirements for tenant notification and potential relocation payments that may vary based on tenants' income, age, and disability status. Importantly, the bill includes several exemptions from rent stabilization, such as owner-occupied properties with four or fewer units, transient housing, and newly constructed or converted residential units. The bill would take effect immediately upon the Governor's signature and includes a severance clause to ensure that if any provision is deemed unenforceable, the rest of the legislation remains valid.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S960