An Act relative to rent escrow
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Create an account to take a stance, submit a written position, or contact your legislator.
Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to regulate the practice of rent escrow in Massachusetts. Rent escrow occurs when a landlord withholds a tenant’s security deposit, often for alleged damages or unpaid rent. The legislation seeks to establish clearer guidelines and procedures for when and how landlords can utilize rent escrow, ensuring greater transparency and fairness for renters. It also intends to provide tenants with more effective recourse if they believe their security deposit was improperly withheld.
Key provisions
- Establishes guidelines for when a landlord can utilize rent escrow.
- Requires landlords to provide tenants with a detailed accounting of the withheld funds.
- Specifies a timeframe for landlords to return the security deposit or provide an itemized list of deductions.
- Creates a process for tenants to dispute improper escrow withholdals.
- Mandates that landlords provide notice to tenants before initiating rent escrow.
- Requires landlords to maintain records related to rent escrow proceedings.
- Addresses potential conflicts of interest related to property management companies involved in rent escrow.
Who is affected
- Renters
- Landlords
- Property Management Companies
- Legal Professionals
- The Housing Market
Notable changes
- The bill introduces specific regulations regarding the use of rent escrow, which was previously subject to limited oversight.
Bill text
Read the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
6 on record
Primary sponsor
Bradley H. Jones Jr.
Cosponsors
Bradley H. Jones Jr.
Kimberly N. Ferguson
Arguments
Reasons offered for and against this legislation.
Arguments in favor
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours