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H 4695

An Act to expand housing opportunities through homesharing

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dan Cahill

Massachusetts bill expanding homesharing to increase affordable housing supply by allowing property owners to rent portions of homes while removing regulatory barriers.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 4695

Legislative bill overview

H 4695 expands housing opportunities in Massachusetts by promoting homesharing arrangements, where homeowners can rent portions of their properties to tenants. The bill likely removes or modifies regulatory barriers that currently limit accessory dwelling units (ADUs), rental of rooms, or similar co-occupancy housing models. It has advanced favorably through the Housing Committee and now faces fiscal review.

Why is this important

Housing affordability remains a critical challenge in Massachusetts, and homesharing can increase the effective housing supply without requiring new construction. For homeowners, rental income from homesharing can improve affordability; for renters, it offers lower-cost housing options in tight markets. The bill addresses supply constraints by utilizing existing residential structures more efficiently.

Potential points of contention

  • Zoning and neighborhood character concerns: Residents may worry that homesharing increases density, parking pressure, and changes neighborhood composition, particularly in single-family residential areas.
  • Tenant protections and safety standards: Clarifying landlord responsibilities, habitability standards, and dispute resolution for homesharing arrangements raises questions about enforcement and tenant rights in informal housing situations.
  • Property tax and municipal revenue implications: Changes to how properties are assessed or taxed when used for homesharing could affect municipal budgets and create fairness questions among property owners.

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

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