Letter from the Executive Director for September 2025: MUC GoFundMe!

August was anything but vacation month. This letter reviews work we did on public policy, the website, decarbonization and the Massachusetts Urban Conservancy.

The big news this month is the launch of the Massachusetts Urban Conservancy. This will help members reduce operating expense. It will help renters indirectly by having better green space nearby and lower cost of local produce. It will help the public and our shared future by creating broad support for biodiversity. Our fundraiser starting August 26 will acquire land in Randolph, our first plot.

Policy-wise, there are two things to note. First, the “broker ban” was everywhere and it shouldn’t have been. Second, rent control was almost nowhere in the media but should have been.

I fielded four interviews as the “broker ban” took effect. We’ll see how much of a difference it makes. I’ve said all along the question here is whether there’s enforcement. No enforcement is planned.

We filed 86 pages of testimony against An Act enabling cities and towns to stabilize rents and protect tenants (S.1447). The legislature has not acknowledged our testimony. (We may have to print it and deliver it by forklift.)

The rent control ballot initiative ought now to be defunct, thanks to us. We noticed it was four signatures short of the required 10 on initial filing. We may have to litigate. If so, we’ll win.

The Boston Globe was quick to print a rent control puff piece in response to an embargoed press release by Homes for All. The Globe published it at 12:01 a.m., the minute the embargo ended. Andrew Brinker wrote, “Developers and landlords say rent control cuts into their bottom line.” Well, actually, I would never say that. Who would care? There are lots of better reasons why the public should reject rent control.

We’re thinking about our 40th anniversary. Please RSVP to an event placeholder when you see it to let us know you are interested. We’ve done a lot, especially in the last 10 years.

Our website continues to undergo development. We’re at the point where monthly dues is to be scheduled for release. Our site slowdown is well on its way to being repaired, as well.

I continue to spend a lot of time on decarbonization. The Mass Save 2025–2027 three-year plan is being rolled out. This plan will transform a large amount of rental housing, thanks to the $2.5 billion being made available. I’ve shared the benefits of Mass Save with two nationwide working groups at the Advanced Water Heating Initiative. I hope the idea catches on.

We’re busy and doing great things. Please join as a member, encourage others to join, become a property rights supporter or increase your level of support.

Sincerely,

Doug

Executive Director

MassLandlords, Inc.