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HD 1713

An Act regularizing water rates for tenants

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Priscila Sousa

Massachusetts bill establishing standardized water rate regulations for rental properties to prevent arbitrary landlord charges and protect tenants from unpredictable billing.

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Bill Summary · HD 1713

Legislative bill overview

HD 1713 seeks to establish standardized regulations governing how water service charges are calculated and applied to tenants in Massachusetts rental properties. The bill aims to prevent arbitrary rate increases and ensure transparency in water billing practices by landlords to their tenants.

Why is this important

Water costs represent a significant portion of housing expenses for renters, and inconsistent billing practices can lead to disputes and unexpected financial burdens. Standardizing water rates protects vulnerable tenants from exploitative pricing while providing landlords with clear regulatory guidelines for compliance.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost allocation methodology: Disagreement over whether meters should be individual, building-wide, or estimated, and how shared water costs should be divided among units
  • Rate-setting authority: Uncertainty about whether rates should be capped, tied to municipal utility rates, or determined by other benchmarks, and who enforces compliance
  • Implementation burden: Concerns from landlords about retrofitting buildings with metering systems and administrative costs of tracking individual usage
  • Exemptions and scope: Questions about which properties are covered (single-family, multi-unit, subsidized housing) and whether existing lease agreements are grandfathered in

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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