Massachusetts Legal Services Organizations Celebrate the Banning of Renter-Paid Broker’s Fees

With the ban on renter-paid broker’s fees signed into law by Governor Healey in the FY 2026 state budget, accessing housing will become more affordable for thousands of Massachusetts renters as of Aug. 1. GBLS and the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute applaud the Legislature’s proposal that led to eliminating this practice. ‘Families shouldn’t have to pay just to apply for housing,’ said Todd Kaplan, senior attorney at GBLS. ‘If the landlord hires the broker, the landlord should pay the fee. This law helps remove yet another barrier to affordable housing.’ ” Read more here.