Bill > H1507

This bill creates a new rental arbitrator position within the Massachusetts Attorney General's office to help regulate rent increases and mediate disputes between landlords and tenants. The bill limits rent increases to no more than 5% plus the Chained Consumer Price Index (C-CPI-U), or 10%, whichever is lower, during any 12-month period. Landlords can exceed this limit only by providing written justification for significant improvements, additional tenants, or pets. The rental arbitrator will have the power to receive and review complaints from both tenants and landlords, with the ability to conduct hearings and make determinations within 90 days of receiving a complaint. If a landlord is found to have violated the rent increase restrictions, they must return overpaid rent and may be fined up to $1,000 for a first offense and at least $1,000 for subsequent offenses. The arbitrator will also be required to conduct an annual review of the rental market and submit a comprehensive report to the state legislature detailing complaint statistics and market observations. The bill is designed to provide tenant protections while allowing reasonable rent adjustments and creating a formal mechanism for resolving rental disputes.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1507