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HD 6170

An Act relative to real estate transfer fees and senior property tax relief in the city of Boston

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Brandy Fluker-Reid

Boston may impose a real estate transfer fee up to 2% on property transfers, with a $2,000,000 exemption, funds directed to housing programs and senior tax relief.

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Bill Summary · HD 6170

Summary of HD 6170 (Session 194th) — An Act relative to real estate transfer fees and senior property tax relief in the city of Boston

Purpose and intent

  • The bill is framed as addressing a housing emergency in Boston, focusing on mitigating speculative real estate practices, increasing affordable housing production, preserving seniors’ homeownership, and improving housing stability for low-income renters.
  • It creates a real estate transfer fee (RTF) option for Boston, with exemptions and oversight provisions, and expands senior property tax relief eligibility in Boston.

Key provisions and changes

  • Transfer Fee Authority (Section 2)

    • Boston may impose a fee up to 2% of the purchase price on the transfer of any real property interest in Boston, or transfers of controlling interests in entities that hold property in Boston.
    • The fee would be payable by the seller. The city could define “controlling interest” and fee calculation for transfers of entities.

  • Exemption Amount (Section 3)

    • The first $2,000,000 of the purchase price is exempt from the transfer fee.
    • The exempt amount can be adjusted every five years by the City Council with mayoral approval, based on the percentage increase in the median citywide sales price, but the exemption cannot be reduced.

  • Collection and Use (Section 4)

    • Fees (if enacted) would be paid to the City of Boston; the city may contract with Suffolk County Registry of Deeds for collection.
    • The city can adopt ordinances to collect and lien outstanding fees, with standard real property tax collection remedies.
    • All collected fees would be deposited into Boston’s Neighborhood Housing Trust (NH Trust) established under prior law, with discretion to designate a portion for programs related to housing acquisition, affordability, preservation, senior stability, low-income renter stability, and related purposes.

  • Affidavit and Confirmation (Section 5)

    • Deeds must be accompanied by an affidavit detailing the purchase price, fee owed, and any exemptions, with the city issuing a certificate once satisfied.
    • The Suffolk County Register of Deeds would not record a deed without this certificate.

  • Exempt Transfers (Section 6)

    • Exempt transfers include: (1) transfers between family members; (2) transfers of convenience; (3) transfers to the U.S. government or Commonwealth or their instrumentalities.

  • Administrative Authority (Section 7)

    • City may adopt additional exemptions and regulations, including targeting economically vulnerable populations, affordable housing developments, deed-restricted units, and city-approved homebuyer programs.

  • Annual Reporting (Section 8)

    • The city must publish an annual report detailing fee receipts by payer category, location, and unit type, and quantify senior tax relief and affordable housing program funding.

  • Senior Homeowner Property Tax Exemption (Section 9)

    • Modifies eligibility factors for the senior exemption under Clause 41C of Chapter 59, with specific increases:
    • Increase the base exemption from $500 to $1,500.
    • Adjust income thresholds to up to 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) for the relevant subclause, indexed to HUD AMI.
    • Increase other threshold amounts from $28,000 and $30,000 to higher levels (up to $80,000 and $110,000 respectively, with the amended AMI-based figures applying).
    • These adjustments apply to Boston real property and are not subject to further modification by the second sentence of Clause 41C.

  • Effective Date (Section 11)

    • The act would take effect immediately upon signing by the Governor.

Who is affected

  • Property sellers in Boston (if the transfer fee is enacted) and buyers via the transfer price.
  • Boston residents and property owners, particularly seniors eligible for property tax relief and low-income renters/first-time homebuyers through NH Trust programs.
  • The Suffolk County Registry of Deeds and real estate professionals involved in property transfers.
  • The City of Boston, which would administer exemptions, collections, reporting, and program funding from the NH Trust.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The fee amount and exemptions can be adjusted by Boston ordinance, subject to the framework in Sections 2 and 3.
  • Exemption value is reviewed every five years based on median citywide sale price changes.
  • Annual reporting is required to track receipts and program impacts.
  • The act purports to take effect immediately upon gubernatorial signature.

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

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