The Boston City Council recently approved a measure that would allow the city to opt-in to a state law offering tax breaks for landlords who keep rents affordable. This decision comes as part of a larger discussion around housing affordability and rent control in Boston. The “Good Landlord Tax Abatement” measure, co-sponsored by City Councilor Gabriela Coletta-Zapata, aims to reward landlords who offer affordable rents to tenants based on HUD-defined criteria.
This proposal is in response to increasing concerns about rent control and affordability in the city. Candidate Josh Kraft also proposed a “good landlord” tax break as part of his mayoral campaign, offering a 20% property tax break for landlords who agree to cap rent growth at 10% per year for tenants below 200% of the Area Median Income. However, Mayor Michelle Wu criticized this proposal as “fake rent control” and emphasized the need for more comprehensive protections for renters.
The measure will now go to the mayor’s office for drafting before returning to the city council for final approval. This decision highlights ongoing efforts to address housing affordability in Boston and support landlords who prioritize affordability for their tenants.
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