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Proposal aims to change who pays broker fees in Massachusetts
MASSACHUSETTS, JUL 2 – New law shifts broker fees to landlords, reducing upfront costs for renters who faced fees averaging $12,900 in the Boston metro area, officials said.
- On May 20, 2025, over 100 people marched at Boston City Hall advocating for affordable housing and an end to renter-paid broker fees.
- Earlier this week, lawmakers incorporated provisions into a $61 billion spending plan submitted to Governor Maura Healey that require broker fees to be paid by the party who hires the broker.
- The change aims to eliminate upfront broker fees that often add thousands, sometimes over $10,000, to renters' move-in costs in Massachusetts' competitive housing market.
- Governor Healey announced that renters will no longer have to pay broker fees of up to $10,000 before moving into a new apartment, with the new regulations set to begin on August 1.
- The policy is expected to put money back into renters' pockets and reduce barriers to housing, though advocates note it may not fully address broader affordability challenges.
16 Articles
16 Articles
That extra money they ask you for when they tell you “you have to pay the first month of rent” often doesn’t go to the owner, but it’s what they call broker’s fee—a commission for the person who helped you get the apartment. In most big cities in the United States, tenants aren’t forced to pay the commissions, and they’re instead paid by the landlords. This isn’t the case with Boston. But, all this could change on August 1st of this year. Legisl…
Mass. Budget Bill Ends Forcing Renters to Pay Broker Fees
BOSTON – The FY26 budget passed by the Massachusetts Legislature and sent to the governor’s office on Monday includes language which effectively bans renter-paid real estate broker fees. The provision requires whichever party hired the broker to pay all related fees. Healey included the provision in the budget proposal she sent to the legislature. The legislature included the provision in the final budget bill it passed. “The days of renters bei…
Healey: "I'm getting rid of broker's fees for renters"
BOSTON (SHNS) - As Gov. Maura Healey prepared to roll out her annual budget in January, she pre-announced plans to include a measure outlawing renter-paid broker's fees. On Wednesday, she announced before taking final action on the $61 billion state budget she received Monday that she'll agree to a similar measure passed by lawmakers. The governor has until Thursday, July 10 to sign the budget and release any vetoes or amendments. "BIG NEWS: I’…
Healey: ‘I'm getting rid of broker's fees for renters'
As Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey prepared to roll out her annual budget in January, she pre-announced plans to include a measure outlawing renter-paid broker’s fees. On Wednesday, she announced before taking final action on the $61 billion state budget she received Monday that she’ll agree to a similar measure passed by lawmakers. The governor has until Thursday, July 10 to sign the budget and release any vetoes or amendments. “BIG NEWS: I’m g…
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