Senate subcommittee advances a slate of tenant-protection bills including eviction payment plans and application-disclosure rules

The Senate General Laws housing subcommittee advanced a broad package of landlord-tenant bills aimed at reducing eviction risk and improving transparency.

HB95, sponsored by Senator Bennett Parker, would require landlords to offer a payment plan to tenants who owe no more than one month’s rent before pursuing eviction; supporters including housing attorneys and the City of Alexandria said the change helps tenants bridge temporary hardships. Industry witnesses (apartment associations) opposed mandatory payment plans, citing high default rates in pandemic-era programs and operational concerns. The committee recommended reporting HB95 by a 3–2 vote.

The subcommittee also approved a substituted version of HB379 focused on rental-application transparency. The substitute requires disclosure of application fees, eligibility criteria, the consumer reporting agency used and an applicant’s right to correct errors. Proponents said clearer upfront information reduces wasted applicant expense and helps renters make informed choices; advocates noted screening errors commonly deny eligible applicants.

Other measures the panel recommended include HB616 (tenant rent ledgers to separate base rent from other fees on request), HB519 (adding landlord-supplied air conditioning to the list of essential services for which tenants have remedies), and narrowly targeted eviction-related bills such as HB1093 that would cap tenant liability for attorney fees in quick-resolution "right of redemption" cases. Committee votes ranged from unanimous to split, depending on the bill and amendments.

Next steps: Reported bills will move to the Senate for further action. Several items were identified for further technical drafting or referral to the Housing Commission for study.