Protection from Rent Gouging

Tenants earning under the Boston Area Median Income, and who live in large buildings over six units, would have the right to grieve increases over 5%, Tenants in larger buildings, and who earn the Area Median Income could grieve increases over 10%.

Consumer Protections Against Foreclosure

This law provides consumer protections for small home owners that would help them to keep their homes. Boston resident home owners, in single family houses up to  six units, would be assured of notice of intent to foreclose, and, gain the right to cure the amount of payment that is in default.

Eviction Protections

Right now tenants as consumers living in larger buildings, can be evicted without any reason given.

This law would mean that there would have to be a just-cause reason to go directly to housing court to evict a tenant.

Code Enforcement Relief for Small Landlords

In cases of rent withholding and Inspectional Services involvement, low-moderate income, elderly, and disabled owners of properties having  up to six units would have assistance to mediate a real solution*…

* The agency would evaluate circumstances and assist the home owner in finding economic resources, or, evaluate whether or not there is a need to refinance an existing high interest loan in order to increase resources to pay for necessary improvements. In addition, the court could order a tenant to pay all or some portion of rent provided that a work plan and schedule of repair is presented to the court to remedy violations, and
monitored by third party supervision.

Condominiums Conversion

This law incorporates already existing protections of rooming houses, and expands the protections of the condo conversion law to include absentee-owned triple-deckers.

Fair Notice

When a larger building with over six units is being sold, the owner would have to notify the tenants of the sale beforehand, as well as inform the new owner about the provisions of this law.

Limiting Finders’ Fees

Many people may be charged extremely high and/or non-refundable fees by realtors to help them find apartments. This law would allow the city to limit finders’ fees.

Fair Housing Protections

In addition to laws already in place, this law would prohibit discrimination against elderly, disabled, or low income tenants trying to rent an apartment.

Sunset Clause

When, someday, there is no more housing emergency, when housing is available for all the families and individual residents of Boston, and there is no longer a need for the safequards of this legislation, the Boston City Council and the Mayor can decide to discontinue the protections that this legislation offers.