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Bill

H 1664

An Act relative to rent escrow

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by David DeCoste

Massachusetts bill modifies rent escrow procedures, allowing tenants to deposit rent during landlord housing code violations, balancing tenant protections with landlord financial stability.

Hearing scheduled for 04/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2
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Bill Summary · H 1664

Legislative bill overview

H 1664 establishes or modifies procedures for rent escrow accounts in Massachusetts, a mechanism that allows tenants to deposit rent payments with a court or neutral third party when landlords fail to maintain habitable living conditions. The bill likely addresses how these escrow funds are managed, disbursed, or when tenants can utilize this remedy.

Why is this important

Rent escrow is a critical tenant protection tool that provides leverage in disputes over housing code violations without requiring tenants to stop paying rent entirely or face eviction. Clear statutory procedures affect both tenant access to justice in substandard housing situations and landlord incentives to maintain properties to code.

Potential points of contention

  • Landlord concerns: May argue that escrow procedures create financial hardship or that tenants misuse the mechanism to avoid legitimate rent payments for non-housing-related disputes
  • Tenant advocacy concerns: May worry that escrow procedures are too restrictive, requiring excessive documentation or court involvement, or that disbursement timelines favor landlords over needed repairs
  • Scope of violations: Disagreement over what conditions qualify for escrow (minor repairs vs. major habitability issues) and who determines adequacy

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

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