COVID Housing Stability Act - CANCEL EVICTIONS?

Question

Hi guys. I just wanted to share the proposal for the housing stability act for MA and it is quite frightening to me. I personally see this as beneficial more towards the tenants rather than landlords as expected from a tenant-friendly state.

What are your thoughts??

I do hope to write a letter to the senator expressing great concerns over this. If you would like to do the same, please do so! Taking some action is better than none and we have nothing to lose at this point. Here is a brief description of it:

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/HD5166

Protecting Renters and Preventing Evictions

• -Cancel/ban evictions for rent due from the start of the COVID-19 State of Emergency through 12 months following the end of the State of Emergency, if tenant was unable to pay because of a direct or indirect impact of COVID-19.
• -Provide “Just Cause” protections to ensure tenants and foreclosed homeowners cannot be evicted for no-fault or non-renewal of leases for 12 months following the end of the emergency declaration.
• -Freeze rents at pre-COVID-19 levels; rents as of March 10, 2020 remain in effect through 12 months following the end of the State of Emergency.
• -Provide a local option for municipalities to extend Just Cause protections upon expiration.
• -Provide strong protections against unfair debt-collection activities for tenants impacted by COVID-19.

Link to bill description: https://www.repmikeconnolly.or...

David Iknaian · Answer

I know this is old but as long as you do the proper screenings on your residents you're going to be fine. I now many private landlord who have residents paying full rent because of proper screening. The company I work for has also had very little non-rent payments from resident do to the COVID shutdown. Why... because we make sure our resident has a job, has savings, background and credit screening is done, etc.

On a side note if the government wants landlords to take the weight of non-payment they need to start a program for landlords similar to affordable housing. If the resident can't pay any portion of the rent than the housing attorney in each city needs to compensate the landlords in some way. Landlords still have to pay mortgage, tax, insurance, utilities(if any), maintenance, etc.

Ryan Wittig · Answer

Thanks for sharing @Jean Soo. All of the points your highlighted are concerning for landlords, but #3 is particularly egregious. So we're supposed to freeze rent increases for the next year? As if our costs won't be going up in the next year especially as towns look for more ways to bring in revenues (taxes).

Adam Aschoff · Answer

@Ryan Wittig

Unfortunately it just delays the inevitable... rent will go up MORE after the ban is lifted... probably displacing tenants across the state.

Joe Splitrock · Answer

The only option on these prolonged eviction freeze laws is legal action to have the laws thrown out. MA is going to have a state of emergency until at least November, which means November 2021 for evictions.

Marlen Weber · Answer

Very interesting information, thanks for sharing the link with us.

COVID Housing Stability Act - CANCEL EVICTIONS?

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