An Act to further regulate tenant fees in rental housing
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to regulate fees charged to tenants in rental housing, specifically targeting what are often referred to as ‘junk fees.’ The legislation seeks to increase transparency and limit excessive charges that tenants may incur. It intends to protect renters from unfair or exploitative fees related to their leases and housing. The bill’s goal is to provide greater financial stability and predictability for renters in Massachusetts.
Key provisions
- Requires landlords to disclose all fees to tenants upfront.
- Limits the amount landlords can charge for certain fees, such as application fees and lease renewal fees.
- Prohibits landlords from charging fees for services that are already covered by the lease.
- Establishes a process for tenants to challenge unreasonable fees.
- Defines ‘junk fees’ for the purpose of the legislation.
- Requires landlords to provide a written explanation for any fees charged.
- Creates a registry of fees charged by landlords.
- Allows tenants to seek legal remedies for excessive fees.
Who is affected
- Tenants
- Landlords
- Housing Providers
- Massachusetts Residents
Notable changes
- The bill seeks to clarify and expand existing regulations regarding tenant fees.
- It introduces specific limitations on the types and amounts of fees that can be charged.
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
4 on record
Primary sponsor
James B. Eldridge
Cosponsors
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