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HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3685 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1532
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Bradley H. Jones, Jr.
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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 establishing a commission to study the impact of shifting residential broker fees from
tenants to landlords.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :DATE ADDED:Bradley H. Jones, Jr.20th Middlesex1/17/2025Kimberly N. Ferguson1st Worcester1/17/2025Paul K. Frost7th Worcester1/31/2025Todd M. Smola1st Hampden3/10/2025David K. Muradian, Jr.9th Worcester1/29/2025 1 of 2
HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3685 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1532
By Representative Jones of North Reading, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1532) of
Bradley H. Jones, Jr. and others for an investigation by a special commission (including
members of the General Court) relative to the impact of shifting residential broker fees from
tenants to landlords. Housing.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act establishing a commission to study the impact of shifting residential broker fees from
tenants to landlords.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, there shall be a
2special commission to study and provide recommendations on the potential economic and social
3impacts of shifting the responsibility of paying real estate broker fees from tenants to landlords
4in residential leasing transactions within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
5 The commission shall investigate and document the following: (1) the economic burden
6on landlords and tenants resulting from such a policy change; (2) the effects on the rental
7housing market, including affordability, availability, and stability; (3) the impacts on real estate
8brokerage practices and fees; (4) comparisons with jurisdictions that have implemented similar
9policies; and (5) any anticipated legal, regulatory, or practical challenges.
10 SECTION 2. The commission shall consist of the secretary of housing and livable
11communities, or a designee, who shall serve as chair; 1 member of the house of representatives 2 of 2
12appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; 1 member of the senate appointed by
13the president of the senate; 1 member of the house of representatives appointed by the minority
14leader of the house of representatives; 1 member of the senate appointed by the minority leader
15of the senate; 2 members appointed by the governor, 1 of whom shall represent the
16Massachusetts Association of Realtors, and 1 of whom shall represent a tenant advocacy
17organization; and one economist with expertise in housing policy, to be appointed by the
18governor.
19 SECTION 3. The executive office of housing and livable communities shall provide
20technical and administrative support to the commission. The commission shall hold at least 3
21public hearings in geographically diverse regions of the commonwealth to solicit feedback from
22tenants, landlords, brokers, and other stakeholders.
23 SECTION 4. The commission shall file its report, including its findings and
24recommendations, along with any drafts of proposed legislation, with the clerks of the house of
25representatives and the senate, the house and senate committees on ways and means, and the
26joint committee on housing no later than 12 months after the effective date of this act.