Bill > S1152

This bill provides new rental protections for specific vulnerable tenant groups, including individuals who are 65 or older, have a disability as defined by federal law, or have an income at or below 80% of the area median income. The legislation allows these tenants to terminate their rental agreements without penalty if they are accepted into certain types of specialized housing, such as nursing homes, assisted living residences, elderly housing, public housing developments, age-restricted housing, or low-to-moderate income housing. Tenants must provide written notification to the property owner at least 30 days before terminating their tenancy, and they will not be subject to any financial penalties or liability for the remaining lease term. The bill also prohibits property owners from refusing to enter into a rental agreement or housing subsidy providers from denying assistance based on a tenant's previous use of this termination option. Additionally, any lease provisions that attempt to waive these protections will be considered void, and courts are given jurisdiction to enforce these provisions. The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development is tasked with creating rules and regulations to implement the law, including potentially defining additional types of qualifying housing options.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1152