An Act Establishing Tenant Collective Bargaining Rights
Half of Massachusetts' 1 million renter households spend over 30% of income on rent, a crisis worsened by massive corporate consolidation. Large landlords aggressively raise rents and neglect maintenance, while individual tenants lack collective bargaining rights, meaning landlords have no legal obligation to negotiate with organized tenant groups.
This bill establishes a statutory framework for tenant collective bargaining. Tenants in buildings with 5+ units (or smaller corporate-managed properties) can certify a tenant union with signatures from 50% of occupied units. Certified unions legally require landlords to meet quarterly and bargain in good faith over rent increases and maintenance, with Housing Court enforcement and rent reduction remedies.