How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Massachusetts?
Rent changes can be a big topic between renters and landlords. They are bound to change some over time… that is just part of living in a world with inflation. Prices grow higher over time for everything (pretty much). While that is the case, when rent creeps up, it raises some questions. In Massachusetts, there are local considerations while inevitably the questions are the same. How much can a landlord raise rent in Massachusetts? And also, are there state or local regulations on exactly how that is done?
Our Boston MA property management services include all parts of the rent collection and management of rent… that includes determining if and how to raise rent for properties. It’s a delicate situation. If you’re seeking out how much can a landlord raise rent in Massachusetts, you could probably use some advice on just what you can and can’t do… both in general and what the local and regional regulations actually say. Let’s dive into this topic and explore the answers and related questions.
Table of Contents
- How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Massachusetts?
- Important Rent-Related Laws and Regulations
- For Landlords: What BMG Can Do For You
How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Massachusetts?
To put it short and sweet. There is no legal limit on the amount a landlord can increase rent. However, to raise rent on a tenant a landlord needs to provide proper notice and the tenant needs to agree to the new terms. So they can’t just raise the rent in any way, shape, or form. Without tenant agreement on this new rent, they can’t legally increase it. This generally takes the form of a new lease agreement that makes things clear on any changes.
For tenants under a lease, rent cannot be increased until the lease term ends… well, unless the lease specifically allows for an increase during the term. Landlords need to provide notice of the proposed increase before the lease expires, allowing tenants to decide whether to accept the new rent or terminate the tenancy all together. For tenants at will, landlords must give at least a 30-day written notice or one full rental period – whichever is longer – before the rent increase takes effect.
Landlords should also be mindful of legal considerations when raising rent. Rent increases must not be discriminatory or retaliatory. On top of that, landlords cannot raise rent within six months of a tenant exercising certain legal rights, such as filing a complaint about housing conditions.
Important Rent-Related Laws and Regulations
There are a lot of rent-related laws out there. Some of them are state-based, while others are federal. And there are even some laws that are based on the city, county, or region, such as local by-laws that come into play. It would be helpful to go over a few of the main categories of rent-related regulations that you want to consider.
- Rent Control (State-wide or Local Ordinances) – As far as Massachusetts is concerned, there are no state-wide rent control laws… meaning landlords are free to set rental prices (presumably based on market conditions). However, some local ordinances may have tenant protections or rent control by-laws that landlords should be aware of. Another thing to note. Rent increases cannot be retaliatory or discriminatory in any way, so again, there are always some limitations.
- Fair Housing Laws – Under the Fair Housing Act, landlords cannot increase rent selectively based on a protected class. Those vary some from one state to another, so getting familiar with laws concerning housing discrimination in Massachusetts is super important. For example, did you know that Massachusetts extends protections to sources of income? This means landlords cannot charge higher rent to tenants using Section 8 vouchers or other rental assistance programs (in other words, it is a protected class). Other states have their own laws that need to be taken into account.
Late Fees and Grace Periods – Some states regulate when and how landlords can charge late fees for overdue rent. So do your research both in the state you’re in and your locality. If you’re seeking out how much can a landlord raise rent in Massachusetts, you will want to know related fees and grace periods that relate to rent. In Massachusetts the grace period is at least 30 days, making it one of the most tenant-friendly late fee policies in the country. At the same time, some lease agreements can augment and tweak these things… so learn what can and can’t be done within a lease agreement that might affect these things.- Tenant Right to Withhold Rent for Repairs – Massachusetts (and some other states) allow tenants the right to withhold rent if a landlord fails to make needed repairs… that is, ones that affect health and safety. This is part of their habitability laws. There are certain responsibilities that the tenant has, such as notifying landlords properly and such. So there is a bit to learn about when it comes to withholding rent in those cases.
For Landlords: What BMG Can Do For You
Are you a landlord wrestling with how to set your rent and manage it all from day to day? Consider professional property management as a way to ease the burdens and get expertise on how to set the rent policies and rates that are perfect for your area. There is a “sweet spot” when it comes to setting rental rates… and we have a lot of experience finding it. Our team of dedicated property management professionals is here to help you.
We’ve got you covered! Bay Property Management Group offers comprehensive rental management services, from marketing and tenant screening to inspections and maintenance. Contact us today to learn more about our property services in Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Northern Virginia, and elsewhere.
