The Massachusetts State Rent Control Act

The Massachusetts State Rent Control Act was enacted in 1970 to regulate rental prices and protect tenants from excessively high or arbitrary rent increases. It established limits on how much landlords could raise rents annually and included provisions for rent reductions and tenant protections. The law aimed to ensure affordable housing during a period of rising rents but was repealed in 1994, removing statewide rent control. However, some local jurisdictions, like Boston, maintain their own rent control policies. Overall, the act was designed to balance landlord interests with tenant rights by providing stable, fair housing costs.