Back to Massachusetts

H1664 • 2025

An Act relative to rent escrow

An Act relative to rent escrow

Housing
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
David F. DeCoste
Last action
2026-03-26
Official status
Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act relative to rent escrow

An Act relative to rent escrow By Representative DeCoste of Norwell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.

What This Bill Does

  • An Act relative to rent escrow By Representative DeCoste of Norwell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No.
  • 1664) of David F.
  • DeCoste relative to rent escrow.
  • The Judiciary.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-26 House

    Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)

  2. 2025-10-14 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 04/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2

  3. 2025-04-18 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 04/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2

  4. 2025-02-27 House

    Referred to the committee on The Judiciary

  5. 2025-02-27 Senate

    Senate concurred

  6. House

    Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order

Official Summary Text

An Act relative to rent escrow
By Representative DeCoste of Norwell, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1664) of David F. DeCoste relative to rent escrow. The Judiciary.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
×

Bill H.1664

The fourth paragraph of section 8A of chapter 239 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2016 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the last sentence and inserting in place thereof the following 4 sentences:- If the originally scheduled trial date is continued for any reason, and upon motion of any party, the court shall, after a hearing, require the tenant or occupant intending to invoke this section to deposit with the clerk of the court, the plaintiff’s attorney or other secure depository the amount: (1) due for use and occupancy each month or (2) due upon the frequency required pursuant to the rental agreement; provided, that said amounts shall include any amount due from the start of withholding, calculated according to the fair market value of the premises. Said amounts shall be held in escrow pending final disposition of the summary process action. Upon final disposition of the summary process action, amounts held in escrow shall go first to repairs. If a tenant or occupant fails to comply with an order requiring deposit, the court, upon motion, shall order the matter to be scheduled for bench trial at the earliest date available and make such further orders as the court deems just.

The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. The General Court provides this information as a public service and while we endeavor to keep the data accurate and current to the best of our ability, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

Close