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The Complete Landlords’ Guide to Lodging and Rooming Houses in Massachusetts

First Published May 25th, 2021 | Updated July 15th, 2026

Embracing a lodging house or rooming house will have advantages and disadvantages for any landlord. Learn how here.

Renting to Roommates: Pros, Cons and Other Considerations

First Published December 21st, 2020 | Updated July 15th, 2026 Posted in News - 2 Comments

Knowing how to handle renting to roommates might avoid hassle, legal trouble, and expense later on.

State Error in Your Favor? Or a Bonanza for ADUs?

First Published February 26th, 2025 | Updated July 15th, 2026 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Photo of a triple-decker apartment building, painted cream with rust trim, with a driveway running alongside to a garage in the back, under an overcast sky.

Want to build an ADU on your triple-decker or business lot? With new state regulations, it might be permitted.

Housing Bond Bill Signed by Governor Includes Single-Family ADUs by Right

First Published September 17th, 2024 | Updated July 15th, 2026 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A two-column explainer image titled “Municipal ADU Restrictions for single-family land” with a small outline of a large house next to a smaller house at the top. The left column reads: Cities and Towns May: Have size restrictions. Have short-term rental restrictions. Require site plan reviews. Require dimensional setbacks. Have bulk and height regulations. Require only 1 parking space for ADUs more than .5 miles from a commuter station. Have other “reasonable restrictions.” The right column reads: Cities and Towns May Not: Impose special permit requirements for the first ADU on a property. Require any discretionary zoning approval for an ADU. Require a parking space for ADUs closer than .5 miles to a commuter station. Prohibit rentals of ADUs (except for short-term rentals). Impose owner-occupancy restrictions. Prohibit or “unreasonably restrict” ADUs. As a footnote, it reads: More than one ADU requires a special permit.

Gov. Healey’s Affordable Homes Act allows statewide construction of accessory dwelling units right on single-family plots of land.

Ballot Question Would Allow Single-Family Home Construction on 5,000 Square Feet by Right

Posted on July 15th, 2026 Posted in News - 0 Comments

The Legalize Starter Homes campaign seeks to remove restrictive lot size minimums to encourage new housing creation.

Changes to Electronic Newsletter: Issuu Subscription Discontinued October 2026

Posted on July 13th, 2026 Posted in News - 0 Comments

The MassLandlords newsletter will still be available for download, but not through digital provider Issuu.

Rental Housing in Massachusetts: Stay Informed

First Published December 10th, 2025 | Updated July 9th, 2026

If you’ve stopped receiving our emails or phone updates, this page will help you reconnect so you don’t miss important information about housing policy. Scroll down to see how you can stay connected!

Press Release: White Paper Pushes For Compensated Form of Rent Control via Ballot Question Alternative

First Published January 16th, 2026 | Updated July 8th, 2026 Posted in policy, press releases - 1 Comment

Our white paper encourages legislators to supersede the 2026 Massachuetts rent control ballot question, for which signatures have been gathered.

Invasive Plant and Animal Addendum

First Published April 9th, 2026 | Updated July 2nd, 2026

Asiatic Bittersweet growing on an evergreen for support. The image specifically highlights the rounded shape of the green leaves and the loose clusters of berries which appear green through late spring and summer prior to turning red orange.

The MassLandlords invasive plant and animal addendum is intended to help you and your renters rid your rental properties of invasive plants and insects.

MUC Receives State Grant to Launch Two Biodiversity Projects

Posted on June 30th, 2026 Posted in News - 0 Comments

photo of a patch of land overgrown with wild-green invasive plants and trees, with a fence visible in the background marking a neighbor’s yard.

The Massachusetts Urban Conservancy (MUC) is funded to acquire two land parcels for biodiversity restoration with the support of a grant from the state.

The Complete Landlords’ Guide to Lodging and Rooming Houses in Massachusetts

Renting to Roommates: Pros, Cons and Other Considerations

State Error in Your Favor? Or a Bonanza for ADUs?

Housing Bond Bill Signed by Governor Includes Single-Family ADUs by Right

Ballot Question Would Allow Single-Family Home Construction on 5,000 Square Feet by Right

Changes to Electronic Newsletter: Issuu Subscription Discontinued October 2026

Rental Housing in Massachusetts: Stay Informed

Press Release: White Paper Pushes For Compensated Form of Rent Control via Ballot Question Alternative

Invasive Plant and Animal Addendum

MUC Receives State Grant to Launch Two Biodiversity Projects

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