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Boston's Morning Newsletter
Gov. Healey proposes shifting the responsibility for broker's fees to landlords
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It’s a girl! Mayor Michelle Wu gave birth to her third child, Mira, yesterday afternoon. She weighed in at 8 lbs, 4 oz and is 20 inches long, according to Wu’s office. “Mom and baby are in good health,” a spokesperson for Wu said.
Mira is quite the birthday gift for the mayor, who turns 40 today.
Now, to more news:
It’s official: Gov. Maura Healey is proposing to get rid of broker’s fees as we know them. The governor said yesterday that her upcoming budget proposal this month will include language to require the fees be paid by whoever originally hired the broker — usually the landlord.
- What she’s saying: “Broker fees are an unfair cost for renters, and they should not be on the hook to pay for someone they didn’t hire,” Healey said in a statement. Her office noted the fees — which are often the equivalent of one month of rent — can drive the upfront costs of starting a new lease above $10,000 when combined with a security deposit, and first and last month’s rent.
- The key question: Is Massachusetts’ House of Representatives on board? We already know the state Senate supports Healey’s proposal (they passed a bill with the same idea last summer). “This wasn’t included in the House’s bond bill last year, but we will review any proposals filed this session,” a spokesperson for House Speaker Ron Mariano said in an email last week, after Healey first signaled her stance against broker’s fees.
- Zoom out: New York City enacted a similar law last month, leaving Boston as the “only major American city” where broker’s fees are forced on renters, according to Wu.
- Zoom in: Healey’s proposal doesn’t mean broker’s fees will be “abolished” altogether. Renters would still be responsible for the fee if they hire a broker to help with their housing hunt. And landlords could choose to pass on the fees by raising the cost of rent (which might still be preferable to a four-figure upfront fee).
- What’s next: Expect more budget news from Healey ahead of her State of the Commonwealth speech Thursday — including a “major” announcement today about funding transportation.
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Meanwhile at Boston City Hall: Meanwhile at Boston City Hall, Wu — before giving birth — got the ball rolling yesterday on a new version of her property tax shift proposal. The renewed push comes after the previous version died a contentious death on Beacon Hill last month, leading to painful property tax hikes for many residents. So, Wu is taking a second shot at the home rule petition. “I think many feel they have no other option other than to continue because if they want to stay in their homes, there need to be some changes,” Mass Senior Action executive director Carolyn Villers told WBUR’s Walter Wuthmann.
- What’s new: The proposal mostly mirrors the compromise Wu reached with businesses last fall. However, it would also allow the city to send rebates to residents, if approved after the final tax bills of the 2025 fiscal year go out in March. (The amount of the rebates would be determined later by the Boston City Council.)
- What’s next: The proposal will again need approval from the Boston City Council before it heads back to the State House.
- Do the math: Wu’s office also released a calculator that allows Boston residents to search for their address and see how their tax bill would have been different if last year’s proposal passed.
Zone defense: Needham is holding a Milton-like referendum today on whether to comply with the MBTA Communities Act. A “yes” vote would affirm the multi-family zoning map Needham’s Town Meeting passed last fall, while a “no” vote would reject the changes — and put the town at risk of facing consequences of noncompliance. Opponents want the town to consider a more pared-down zoning plan if the “no” side wins. MassLive has more details on today’s vote here.
- The big picture: Here’s how officials in other towns that are out of compliance with the MBTA Communities Act plan to act after last week’s court ruling that the law is (eventually) enforceable.
The Brockton City Council is moving ahead with bans on public camping and loitering. Last night, the council overrode Mayor Robert Sullivan’s veto of the two ordinances by votes of 8-3 and 10-1, respectively, WBUR’s Stevee Chapman reports.
- Sullivan had argued the bans “criminalize homelessness” and were too punitive, and asked councilors to make amendments, like dropping the fines. Councilor Jeffrey Thompson told Stevee that a few changes were referred to committee for further consideration. But he said some revisions are dealbreakers for him. "I would have a problem removing any sort of criminal complaint, because what would be the logic behind having a law with no penalty?" Thompson said.
P.S.— The 2025 Women’s Beanpot begins today, hosted by defending champions Northeastern. And as The Boston Globe notes, it may be your last chance to see the tournament at historic Matthews Arena.
