However, a major 11th-hour compromise proposal was publicly announced on June 2, 2026, that may create a new path forward:
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The Deal: Rent control advocacy groups (led by Homes for All Massachusetts) and corporate housing giant WinnResidential submitted an alternative legislative framework to the state house.
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The New Terms: Instead of a strict 5% cap, this legislative alternative allows a much higher ceiling of inflation plus 5% (with a hard cap at 10%). Crucially for landlords, it includes vacancy decontrol (allowing you to reset rent to market rates when a tenant moves out) and provides a clear legal process to request exemptions for major capital improvements or property tax hikes.
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Local Choice: The compromise changes rent control from a mandatory statewide law to a “local option,” meaning individual cities and towns would have to choose whether to adopt it rather than having it forced upon them.
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The Deadline: The state legislature has until July 1, 2026, to pass this tailored compromise into law. If they pass it, advocates have agreed to completely withdraw the strict 5% ballot question from the November election. If the legislature fails to act by July 1, the original, much harsher 5% measure will remain on the ballot for voters to decide in November.
Sources for More Information:
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For the Landlord Perspective & Industry Commentary: Read the detailed breakdowns and ongoing policy updates directly on the MassLandlords.net Article.
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For Local News Broadcasts & Political Support: Watch Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speak on the compromise framework via the NBC10 Boston YouTube Video.