What Is Massachusetts Question 10?
Massachusetts Question 10, often referred to as MA 10, is a citizen-initiated ballot measure on the 2024 statewide ballot. The proposal seeks to alter existing rent-control laws by allowing municipalities to expand rent stabilization beyond the current limits set by the 1994 Tenant Protection Act. If passed, it would mark the most significant change to Massachusetts rent policy in three decades and would give local governments broader authority over how much landlords can raise rent and under what circumstances tenants can be evicted.
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Current Rent Control Rules in Massachusetts
Under current law, rent control in Massachusetts is narrowly defined. Only cities and towns that had rent control on the books before November 1994 can maintain those policies, and they cannot expand them to new units or neighborhoods. The 1994 Tenant Protection Act essentially froze the scope of existing rent stabilization. MA 10 would repeal that restriction, allowing any municipality to adopt or strengthen rent stabilization measures for both older and newer housing stock.
What MA 10 Would Change
The ballot measure would do several things at once. It would remove the 1994 cap on which cities can enforce rent control. It would let local governments set annual rent-increase limits and establish additional just-cause eviction protections. Proponents say the measure would give tenants more stability in a tight housing market, while critics argue it could reduce the supply of rental units and discourage maintenance and new construction.
- Allow any municipality to adopt rent stabilization, not just those with pre-1994 policies.
- Let local governments set annual rent-increase caps.
- Expand just-cause eviction protections to more rental units.
- Remove the state restriction that freezes rent-control eligibility to existing units.
Who Supports MA 10
Tenant advocacy groups and housing justice organizations back the measure. They argue that rising rents in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and other Massachusetts cities have outpaced wages and that renters, especially seniors and low-income households, need stronger protections. Local chapters of organizations such as Mass Renters and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless have campaigned for the measure, framing it as a basic fairness issue in a state where housing costs continue to climb.
Who Opposes MA 10
Landlord groups, real estate associations, and some municipal leaders oppose the measure. They contend that rent stabilization can reduce the incentive for property owners to maintain buildings or invest in new rental construction. The Massachusetts Rental Housing Association and similar organizations argue that the measure could worsen housing shortages, particularly in smaller cities and towns that currently have no rent-control framework. Some opponents also raise concerns about the administrative burden placed on local housing agencies.
How MA 10 Fits Into the Broader Housing Debate
The measure is part of a larger national conversation about rent control and tenant protections. States like Oregon and California have passed similar laws in recent years, but Massachusetts has long been seen as a particularly constrained market because of the 1994 restrictions. MA 10 would test whether expanding local rent-control authority can ease affordability without unintended consequences for housing supply.
What Happens Next
If a majority of voters approve MA 10, the changes would take effect and municipalities could begin developing or updating rent stabilization ordinances. The exact timeline would depend on local action and any state guidance issued afterward. Voters should pay attention to the specific provisions of the measure and any subsequent regulations, since the impact on individual tenants and landlords will vary by city and town.