Rent Control: Boston vs Revere
How do rent control rules compare between Boston, MA and Revere, MA?
Boston and Revere have similar restriction levels.
Boston, MA
Suffolk County
Massachusetts banned municipal rent control statewide through a 1994 ballot initiative (Question 9). Boston, which previously had rent control since 1970, cannot regulate rents or impose rent stabilization measures. There are no caps on rent increases for market-rate units in Boston.
View full Boston rules →Revere, MA
Suffolk County
Rent control is prohibited statewide in Massachusetts under MGL c. 40P (the Rent Control Prohibition Act passed by 1994 ballot Question 9). Boston's 2023 home-rule petition to re-enable rent stabilization passed the City Council but remains pending at the State House. Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop have no rent control. All rent increases require proper state-law notice.
View full Revere rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boston | Revere |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Banned statewide since 1994 | - |
| State Law | MGL c.40P — Question 9 (1994) | MGL c. 40P prohibits rent control |
| Previous Control | 1970–1997 in Boston | - |
| Decontrolled Units | ~28,000 in Boston | - |
| Rent Increase Limit | None — market rate | - |
| Boston Petition | - | Pending at State House |
| Notice | - | 30 days or one rental period |
| Retaliation | - | Banned by MGL c. 186, §18 |
| Deposits | - | MGL c. 186, §15B |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boston FAQ
Does Boston have rent control?
No. Massachusetts banned all municipal rent control through a 1994 ballot initiative (Question 9, codified in MGL c.40P). Boston had rent control from 1970 to 1997 but can no longer regulate rents. Landlords may raise rents by any amount with proper notice.
Could Boston bring back rent control?
Only if the Massachusetts legislature repeals or amends MGL c.40P. Multiple bills have been filed to restore local rent stabilization authority, but none have passed. The city has pursued other affordability measures like inclusionary zoning.
Revere FAQ
Is there rent control in Boston?
No. MGL c. 40P prohibits it. Mayor Wu's 2023 home-rule petition for a stabilization ordinance is pending state approval but not in effect.
How much notice for a rent increase?
At least 30 days or one full rental period — whichever is longer — in writing for a tenant-at-will. Fixed-term leases cannot be changed mid-lease.
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