SENATE DOCKET, NO. 35        FILED ON: 1/6/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 224

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Lydia Edwards

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act eliminating forced broker's fees.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Lydia Edwards

Third Suffolk

 

William N. Brownsberger

Suffolk and Middlesex

1/14/2025

Cindy F. Friedman

Fourth Middlesex

2/10/2025

Mike Connolly

26th Middlesex

3/5/2025

Vanna Howard

17th Middlesex

3/12/2025

Russell E. Holmes

6th Suffolk

5/15/2025


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 35        FILED ON: 1/6/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 224

By Ms. Edwards, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 224) of Lydia Edwards, William N. Brownsberger, Cindy F. Friedman and Mike Connolly for legislation to eliminate forced real estate broker's fees.  Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)

_______________

 

An Act eliminating forced broker's fees.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Section 87DDD1/2 of chapter 112 of the General Laws shall be amended by adding the following paragraphs: -

(b) No licensed real estate broker or other person or entity engaged in the rental or leasing of residential real estate in the commonwealth as agent of the landowner, landlord, lessor, or sub-lessor shall demand, receive, or retain any payment, fee, commission or other charge from a tenant or prospective tenant for any services on behalf of such landowner, landlord, lessor, or sub-lessor for the listing, showing, qualifying of prospective tenants, preparation and execution of documents, or otherwise arising out of the leasing of a residential rental.

(c) No landowner, landlord, lessor, or sub-lessor shall demand or require that a tenant or prospective tenant retain, hire or engage a rental agent or broker and pay such agent or broker a fee or commission as a condition to applying for or leasing a residential rental unit in the commonwealth, and no such landowner, lessor, or sub-lessor shall demand or require that a tenant or prospective tenant make any payment in violation of subsection (b) of this act.

(d) Violation of this act shall constitute an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the conduct of a trade or commerce in violation of section 2 of chapter 93A.

(e) There shall be a fine established, for violation of this act, not to exceed $1,000.00 per violation. This act shall take effect upon passage.