COVID Housing Stability Act - CANCEL EVICTIONS?

[Jean Soo]

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

1. -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.
2. -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.
3. -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.
4. -Provide a local option for municipalities to extend Just Cause protections upon expiration.
5. -Provide strong protections against unfair debt-collection activities for tenants impacted by COVID-19.

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

[Ryan Wittig]

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).