Bill > H4228

This bill authorizes the town of Athol to establish a rent board with broad powers to regulate rents, evictions, and living standards in manufactured housing parks (also known as mobile home parks) within the town. The rent board can create ordinances to control rent increases or decreases by considering factors such as property taxes, operating expenses, capital improvements, service changes, and park conditions. The board can require park owners to register information about their properties under penalty of perjury and can set minimum standards for park accommodations. Violations of the board's regulations can result in fines up to $1,000. The bill ensures that the rent board operates with administrative powers similar to a state agency, including being subject to judicial review, and gives both district and superior courts jurisdiction to review and enforce the board's actions. Importantly, the bill allows the town to regulate tenant evictions, with the rent board able to issue orders that can serve as a defense against eviction proceedings. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage and exempts the rent board's personnel from certain standard state employment regulations.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4228