Governor Maura Healey announced on Wednesday that Massachusetts renters will no longer be obliged to pay broker fees, enabling them to relocate without having to shell out thousands of dollars for a broker they did not choose.
Healey stated earlier this year that an external portion of her budget proposal would eliminate the fees, which frequently amount to a full month’s rent.
Healey’s office announced Wednesday that the governor will sign the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, which includes the outside part, in the next few days. The person who hires the broker—typically the landlord—will be liable for any fees once the proposal is signed.
In a statement, Healey stated, “I suggested prohibiting renter-paid broker fees because housing costs in Massachusetts are already excessively high without adding thousands of dollars in fees for a service you didn’t hire.” I like that the Legislature decided that the broker should be paid by the client who engages them.
The fees, which can occasionally push the upfront costs of renting an apartment above $10,000, have been asked for to be eliminated by elected leaders in Cambridge, Somerville, and Boston, according to Healey’s office. On Instagram last year, Boston City Councilor Enrique Pep, Cambridge City Councilor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, and Somerville City Councilor Willie Burnley Jr. united to oppose mandatory brokerage fees, which are paid for by the renters.
Pepn pointed out that the only two major cities in the nation that still charged broker fees to tenants were Boston and New York. However, the decision to transfer broker fees to landlords was approved by the New York City Council in November, and it became effective in June.
Healey also highlighted her previous efforts to increase the affordability of homes in the state. Boston has one of the lowest housing costs in the nation, and the state recently received a failing grade for affordability and homebuilding.
Last year, Healey signed the $5 billion Affordable Homes Act, which legalized more accessory dwelling units, or in-law flats, and created new housing units.
According to Healey, renters no longer have to pay up to $10,000 before they can even move into an apartment. This is just one of the several ways our administration strives daily to reduce Massachusetts’ exorbitant cost of living.
Molly Farrar works for Boston.com as a general assignment reporter, covering topics such as politics, crime, and education.
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