Bill > H1475

This bill modifies existing Massachusetts law regarding rent changes in manufactured housing (mobile home parks) by establishing new protections for tenants. Specifically, the bill amends Section 32L of Chapter 140 of the General Laws to create a legal presumption that any rent change which does not apply uniformly to all manufactured home tenants of a similar class is considered unfair. The bill clarifies that tenants who entered their occupancy agreements or tenancies in different years can be considered different classes, which means rent increases might be applied differently to tenants based on when they first moved into the park. Importantly, these new provisions will apply retroactively, meaning they can be used to challenge past rent changes that did not meet the new uniformity standard. By introducing this language, the bill aims to provide additional legal recourse for manufactured home residents who believe they have been subject to discriminatory or unequal rent increases.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1475