Is Rent Control Coming to Massachusetts in 2026? What You Need to Know.

There’s a big housing policy conversation brewing in Massachusetts right now — and it’s one that could directly impact renters, landlords, and the broader housing market. Across the state, advocates for rent control have made a serious push to get a rent control measure on the 2026 ballot. So what’s the latest, and what might be coming next? Let’s break it down.

🗳 Why This Matters Now

Massachusetts has not had rent control statewide for decades. After being banned by voters in 1994, the idea of rent control has been largely off the table as a statewide policy — until now. In late 2025, organizers behind a campaign called “Keep Massachusetts Home” announced they collected well over the minimum signatures required to advance a rent control ballot question for the November 2026 statewide election.

📍 What the Initiative Would Actually Do

While it still needs to clear a few procedural steps, here’s what the 2026 ballot measure proposes:

• Limits how much rents can increase each year — rents could only go up by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or 5%, whichever is lower.

• Certain housing units would be exempt — like owner-occupied buildings with four units or fewer and newer construction.

• Base rents would be locked in as of January 31, 2026, and future increases capped from that baseline.

  
  

Basically, if passed by voters, this would create statewide rent limits — something we haven’t seen in Massachusetts in decades.

📊 Where Things Stand Right Now

Here’s the current situation:

• Organizers have submitted enough signatures to get the rent control question through the first phase of the ballot initiative process. wbur.org

• From there, the measure goes through certification and could still face review by the legislature or even legal challenges before it hits the final November 2026 ballot.

• Some early polls suggest a majority of Massachusetts residents say they support the idea of a rent control ballot question.

  
  

But it’s not a done deal yet — and even after it reaches the ballot, voters themselves would have the final say.

🏙 What Supporters Say

Rent control backers argue the policy could help address the state’s intense affordability crisis by limiting runaway rent increases and giving tenants more stability. Supporters point out that many residents are feeling squeezed in the current market and want stronger protections.

🧱 What Opponents Are Saying

Not surprisingly, the proposal has also drawn strong opposition — especially from real estate groups, developer associations, and landlord advocates. Critics argue rent control can:

• discourage new housing construction

• reduce investment in maintenance and repairs

• disproportionately impact smaller landlords

  
  

Those groups say the state’s housing challenges are better addressed through increased supply and broader housing policy reforms — not a cap on rents.

🤔 So — Is Rent Control Actually Coming?

Here’s the reality:

➡️ It’s on track to appear on the 2026 ballot, meaning Massachusetts residents could get a chance to vote on it in the November 2026 election. Ballotpedia

➡️ But it’s not law yet. It still needs to clear several steps before it reaches voters, and approval is far from guaranteed.

➡️ If it does make the ballot, it could spark one of the most significant housing policy debates Massachusetts has seen in years.

In a state where housing affordability is one of the top concerns for renters and homeowners alike, this isn’t just another ballot item — it’s something that could shape the market in a meaningful way.

🏠 Why This Matters for Your Real Estate Decisions

Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, investor, or renter, this issue is worth paying attention to. Policies like rent control can influence:

• rental pricing expectations

• investment strategies

• neighborhood demand

• long-term housing stability