Michelle Wu Rent Control Proposal (leaked) via Boston Globe (Cambridge: rental, eviction)

[BostonBornMassMade]

Mayor Wu floats rent control proposal that would cap rent hikes at 10 percent

It would exempt buildings opened in the last 15 years, as well as small owner-occupied properties such as three-deckers. Beyond that, it would allow landlords to increase rent by 6 percent plus the consumer price index, a measure of inflation, though the total increase could not exceed 10 percent in one year. The proposal would be paired with “just cause” eviction protection for tenants.

[matrix5k]

I thought there was already a 10% cap, or maybe that was another state? Is this only for Boston? What if a tenant does not renew the lease, the owner can set the rent at any amount then right?

[masssachoicetts]

Rent Control can sometimes do more damage than good.

But this seems like a solid plan. When rent control is capped at 2-5%, it can be bad tbh....

[BostonBornMassMade]

Originally Posted by matrix5k

I thought there was already a 10% cap, or maybe that was another state? Is this only for Boston? What if a tenant does not renew the lease, the owner can set the rent at any amount then right?

Boston used to have rent control. The state voted to ban it 51-49. The only 3 municipalities that had its Boston, Cambridge and Brookline vote in favor by a 2-1 margin.

and yes the landlord can reset it wherever.

I don't get the anti-rent control crowd. We haven't had rent control and we've been gentrified into oblivion same as cities with rent control. The difference is they have more significant pockets of real rental affordability in some parts of their cities referring mainly to LA DC and NYC. All rent control does is allow people to stay in their homes. Its not actually meant to make the city cheaper. Its meant to prevent displacement. The zoning changes Wu has been advancing (ones that incentivize building income-restricted units0 and planned for when abolishing the BPDA would (reworking the zoning code and creating a Planning Department).


The issue is she should have rolled that out FIRST. Before letting this leak or announcing this. Tell everyone how you plan to build more and rent control would look a lot more appealing. The abolish the BPDA campaign point is the most important one IMO, then rent control, the Making the T Free (especially if the red and orange line are going to be crap and understaffed/undersupplied for another 5 years).

[mdovell]

Get rid of residency and that works free up in the units. Controls limit new construction. Price controls don't work. China tried it with food in the 60s.

[BruinsGirl]

Originally Posted by mdovell

Get rid of residency and that works free up in the units. Controls limit new construction. Price controls don't work. China tried it with food in the 60s.

You cannot compare our systems. I’m from USSR, which was pretty similar to China back then. When government controls everything it works differently. It already controls full process (planned economy).

I agree that in capitalist countries price control is a death to business, however there are still price gauging laws.

[MtPleasantDream]

Originally Posted by mdovell

Get rid of residency and that works free up in the units. Controls limit new construction. Price controls don't work. China tried it with food in the 60s.

In Mao's era, most foods could not be purchased with cash. The government distributed food stamps to all citizens (except farmers), and only food stamps could be used.

The stamps had many types too: some for meat only, others for oil or rice/flour. Some could be used everywhere in the country, while others were only valid in a province.

[BostonBornMassMade]

More details:

New buildings will be exempt from rent control for 15 years after opening.

[masssachoicetts]

lol oh great... get ready for 6k rents in the seaport for a neighborhood that has arguably about the same amount of amenities as a suburb of a sunbelt city until 2035.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by BostonBornMassMade

The proposal would be paired with “just cause” eviction protection for tenants.

I don't subscribe. What is this all about?