69-71 WESTLAND AV

Requirement

Bill that, by its title, would address algorithmic rent fixing in the rental housing market. It is not law; it is awaiting action in House Ways and Means. The source does not reproduce the bill text.

Evidence

“An Act relative to preventing algorithmic rent fixing in the rental housing market”

H.5222, 194th Gen. Court (Mass. 2025-2026) (new draft of H.1564)

Requirement

Pending bill that would prohibit algorithmic rent setting in Massachusetts. The source gives only the title and committee history, so the operative terms (definitions, scope, penalties) cannot be read from the source.

Evidence

“of Cindy F. Friedman and Julian Cyr for legislation to prohibit algorithmic rent setting”

Mass. S. 2983, 194th Gen. Ct. (2025-2026)

Key value

Ban on refusing or discriminating against tenants/applicants for receiving public assistance or housing subsidies (e.g. vouchers)

Requirement

It is unlawful to discriminate in furnishing rental accommodations against a person because they receive public assistance or a housing subsidy (including rental assistance), or because of any requirement of such a program.

Evidence

“For any person furnishing credit, services or rental accommodations to discriminate against any individual who is a recipient of federal, state, or local public assistance, including medical assistance, or who is a tenant receiving federal, state, or local housing subsidies, including rental assistance or rental supplements, because the individual is such a recipient, or because of any requirement of such public assistance, rental assistance, or housing subsidy program.”

M.G.L. c. 151B, § 4(10)

Key value

Lookback limits: felonies 10 years, misdemeanors 5 years from disposition (incl. end of incarceration/custody), plus pending charges

Requirement

A landlord may obtain CORI to evaluate rental applicants only if the applicant has signed an acknowledgement form, and the information is limited to felony convictions (10 years), misdemeanor convictions (5 years) and pending charges. A landlord holding an applicant's criminal history must give the applicant a copy before questioning them about it and if an adverse housing decision is made on that basis.

Evidence

“Criminal offender record information made available under this section shall be limited to the following: (i) felony convictions or findings of not guilty by reason of insanity for 10 years following the disposition thereof, including termination of any period of incarceration or custody, (ii) misdemeanor convictions for 5 years following the disposition thereof, including termination of any period of incarceration or custody, and (iii) pending criminal charges, which shall include cases that have been continued without a finding until such time as the case is dismissed pursuant to section 18 of chapter 278”

M.G.L. c. 6, § 172(a)(3), (c)

Key value

No blanket bans; exclude non-conviction arrests, sealed/expunged convictions, juvenile records, and convictions over 5 years old

Requirement

Covered housing providers may not use a blanket policy denying housing to anyone with arrests or convictions and must assess applicants case by case. They may not consider non-conviction arrests, convictions subject to judicial relief (expungement, sealing), juvenile records, or convictions more than 5 years old.

Evidence

“The Developer/Agent (Agent) agrees to not consider any of the following categories when determining housing eligibility and or considering eviction: a) Arrests that did not result in conviction. This includes dismissed charges, diversion programs, and similar non-convictions. b) Convictions that are subject to a form of judicial relief, such as expungement, sealing, and certificates for relief from disabilities. c) Juvenile records d) A conviction more than 5 years old.”

Boston DND Fair Chance Tenant Selection Policy (Feb. 2017)

Key value

Ban on refusing rental assistance (Section 8, SSDI and veterans vouchers)

Requirement

Landlords in Boston may not discriminate against renters or applicants because they use rental assistance, including refusing to accept Section 8, social security disability, or veterans vouchers.

Evidence

“The landlord tells you they don't accept rental assistance. This includes Section 8 vouchers, social security disability vouchers, and veterans vouchers.”

Boston Fair Housing Commission regulations; see also M.G.L. c. 151B, § 4(10)

Key value

Broker fee payable only by the party (lessor or tenant) who engaged the broker

Requirement

A licensed broker or salesperson may contract with either the prospective tenant or the landlord, not both, and any fee must be paid only by the party who originally engaged the broker. A landlord's broker therefore cannot charge the tenant a fee.

Evidence

“Any fee shall only be paid by the party, lessor or tenant who originally engaged and entered into a contract with the licensed broker or salesperson.”

M.G.L. c. 112, § 87DDD½, as amended by St. 2025, c. 9, § 43

Key value

Landlords may not charge application fees; only first, last, security deposit and locks may be collected

Requirement

Before a tenancy begins, a lessor may require payment only of first month's rent, last month's rent, a security deposit and a lock fee; application, pet, cleaning and amenity fees are forbidden. Licensed brokers may charge fees if they comply with 254 CMR 7 (written disclosure of fee amount, timing and contingency).

Evidence

“It states that prior to the beginning of a tenancy, no lessor may require payment for anything except first, last, security, and locks”

M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B; 254 C.M.R. 7

Key value

Security deposit capped at 1 month's rent (plus first month, last month and lock/key cost); return within 30 days

Requirement

At or before the start of a tenancy a landlord may collect only first month's rent, last month's rent, a security deposit of no more than one month's rent, and the cost of a key and lock. The deposit must be held in a separate interest-bearing Massachusetts bank account, with 5% annual interest (or the lesser amount the bank paid) paid to the tenant. It must be returned within 30 days after the tenancy ends, less itemized, sworn deductions for allowed items.

Evidence

“(b) At or prior to the commencement of any tenancy, no lessor or agent of the lessor may require a tenant or prospective tenant to pay, to the lessor or to an agent of the lessor, any amount in excess of the following: (i) rent for the first full month of occupancy; and, (ii) rent for the last full month of occupancy calculated at the same rate as the first month; and, (iii) a security deposit equal to the first month's rent provided that such security deposit is deposited as required by subsection (3) and that the tenant is given the statement of condition as required by subsection (2);”

M.G.L. c. 186, § 15B

Key value

Notice-of-rights requirement only; no just-cause protection

Requirement

A landlord or foreclosing owner ending a tenancy must give the tenant a Notice of Tenants' Rights and Resources at the same time as the Notice to Quit or notice of lease non-renewal. A copy of the notice, with a Certificate of Compliance/Service, must also be sent to the City's Office of Housing Stability.

Evidence

“The HSNA requires that landlords give this Notice of Tenants’ Rights and Resources to tenants when the landlord starts the eviction process, or when the landlord decides to not offer the tenant a renewal of their lease agreement.”

Boston Municipal Code § 10-11.7 (Housing Stability Notification Act)