Bill > H4063

This bill introduces comprehensive protections for residents of affordable housing units by establishing several key provisions. The legislation limits annual rent increases to 3.5 percent and requires landlords to decrease rent proportionally if market rates decrease. Landlords must submit detailed written requests to the local government and executive office of housing at least 120 days before proposing any rent increase, with the executive office having the authority to approve, partially approve, or deny such requests. The bill creates an affordable housing unit equity dashboard to track housing landscape data and limits landlord fees and profit distributions to 6 percent of project equity, mandating that at least 4 percent be reinvested into the rental project. Tenants are guaranteed free legal assistance for housing matters and landlords must engage in good-faith housing court mediation for six months before pursuing eviction for non-payment of rent. Additionally, the bill establishes a task force to review regulatory agreements, improve municipal oversight, and coordinate affordable housing support across agencies, with a requirement to submit recommendations by December 1, 2026. The legislation defines affordable housing units as dwellings where rent is affordable to households earning 80 percent or less of the area median income, aiming to protect lower-income renters from excessive rent increases and provide them with substantial legal and procedural protections.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4063