Massachusetts has no rent control. A statewide ballot measure capping increases at CPI or 5%, whichever is lower, was struck by the Supreme Judicial Court on 23 June 2026 as an excluded matter — on a technicality, not on the merits.
It polled 62.6% support and an exemption for religious-institution housing is what made it an excluded matter. Expect a redrafted measure in 2028; a hold period past that date should not assume today's freedom to raise rents.
Sources
- Massachusetts rent control preemption — M.G.L. c. 40P (1994 ballot measure)
- SJC decision on the 2026 rent stabilisation initiative, 23 June 2026 — Supreme Judicial Court, 23 June 2026 — excluded-matter ruling