Mark, below is part of an Email that I got from Mass Landlords (masslandlords.net/) a state wide LL group. I highly recommend checking out their website & joining with us to fight for our LL rights.
Infinite Moratorium Bills 191 H.5018 S.2918
Updated October 12th, 2020 by Doug Quattrochi. Posted in policy - 1 Comment
The rent cancellation bill has been redrafted into an infinite eviction moratorium, asking some owners to wait 20+ years to receive payment. Think we are using hyperbole? Check our math below. Despite incorporating some of our input concerning the legal obligation for full reimbursement, this bill remains an existential threat to residential real estate rentals:
H.5018 S.2918 An Act to guarantee housing stability during the COVID-19 emergency and recovery
H.5018 (formerly HD.5166 H.4878) and its sister bill S.2918 (formerly S.2831 SD.2992) would:
Prohibit owners from accessing the courts for a full year after the state of emergency ends;
Require most owners to continue operating housing without income or reimbursement for years;
Enact just cause eviction rent control, outlawing rent increases, hindering major renovations, and creating permanent tenancies; and
Enact eviction sealing, making it impossible to screen tenants adequately, and unexpectedly creating secret courts open to bribery and corruption.
The bill is totally unnecessary in view of the CDC moratorium, which protects 86% of renters nationwide and 100% of low- and moderate-income renters.
The only crumbs for housing providers would be (1) the looks-good-but-isn’t tax credit, (2) mortgage forbearance that requires us to forgive twice as much rent as we receive in mortgage, and (3) the same election year empty promise of a future fund to raise donations for us.
We must stop this bill, which despite a total gut renovation since July somehow still has over a quarter of the legislature as cosponsors. Once you’re on the list, your name doesn’t come off! We could instead accomplish every legitimate objective with a combination of the CDC moratorium and our Fair and Equal Housing Guarantee via Surety Bonds.
We have prepared detailed talking points opposed to H.5018 S2918, which we need you to use at the earliest opportunity by calling Reps and Senators:
Talking Points docx Format
Talking Points pdf Format
MassLandlords urges all owners and managers to contact their Reps and Senators to oppose the bill using the talking points below. If you have questions before taking action, reply or call 774-314-1896 and leave a voicemail, we will help you prepare.
--71.174.xxx.xx