Here’s What Landlords Need to Know About Mass. Rent Control

A big housing question could be on the Massachusetts ballot in November 2026, and if you own a rental property in Berkshire County, it affects you.

Here is what the proposal would do: it would stop landlords from raising rent by more than 5% per year. The increase could be even lower depending on inflation. Supporters say renters need protection from big rent hikes. Opponents say it will make the housing shortage worse.

But the Berkshires are not Boston.

Many local landlords are not big companies. They are regular people who own a two or three family home and rent out the extra unit to help pay their own bills. For those owners, a limit on rent increases is personal. Rising heating costs, insurance, and property taxes do not stop just because rent does.

Here is the good news for smaller landlords. The proposal includes an exception for owner-occupied buildings with four units or fewer. That means if you live in your building, you may not be affected at all.

The proposal is mostly aimed at large corporate landlords who have been buying up apartment buildings across the state and raising rents fast. That has been a growing problem in Berkshire County too, as outside investors look beyond Boston for properties to purchase.

Before this gets to voters, the Massachusetts Legislature has until May 5th to weigh in. If lawmakers do not act, supporters still need to collect about 12,400 more signatures to lock it onto the November 2026 ballot. Both sides are already spending money and organizing. This is going to be one of the biggest fights in Massachusetts politics next year.