Bill > H3922

This bill modifies real estate brokerage practices specifically in the city of Somerville, Massachusetts, by changing how broker fees are handled. Under the new law, licensed real estate brokers can only contract with either a prospective tenant or a landlord to find rental property, and the broker fee must be paid exclusively by the party who originally engaged the broker's services. This means that if a tenant hires a broker to help them find an apartment, the tenant would be responsible for paying the broker's fee, or if a landlord hires a broker to find a tenant, the landlord would pay the fee. The bill overrides any existing general or special laws that might previously have governed broker fees in the area, and it will take effect immediately upon passage. The legislation aims to provide clarity and predictability in real estate transactions by establishing a clear rule about who is responsible for broker fees in Somerville.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3922