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Proposed MA Statewide Rent Control Ballot Question

By Kelly McGovern

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Realty Concierge International MA #9535680 RI#REB0019277

February 12, 2026 06:00 AM

A proposed statewide rent control ballot question is moving forward, and it represents one of the most serious threats to housing, property rights, and our industry that we’ve seen in decades.

Massachusetts Association of Realtors has created a short video that clearly explains what this proposal would do, why it would make Massachusetts’ housing crisis worse, and what’s at stake for REALTORS®, property owners, and our communities.

This proposal would apply to every city and town, drastically limit rent increases, discourage new housing production, and reduce long-term investment. The consequences would be felt across the entire real estate ecosystem.

Study after study found that rent control discourages investment in housing, leading to fewer homes, less home and building maintenance, and lower property values. We need real solutions for our housing crisis: not broken policies that have already failed.

Check out HousingforMass.com this fact sheet for more information as to what is in this ballot question.

Real estate investor or not, take a moment to read the studies that recommend a NO vote.

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Comments(12)

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Wayne Martin

Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL

Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Kelly. Rent control in the hands of politicians is a devils brew that longterm investors avoid like the plague. Sophisticated investors want the rewards to vie worth the risks. Enjoy your day.

Feb 12, 2026 06:09 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Minot, ND

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty

Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL

Florida Space Coast Homes

This does not surprise me. MA is adopting leftwing arguments (like NYC) that have failed for 40 years, continue to fail, and will continue to be implemented.

Feb 12, 2026 06:12 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Minot, ND

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT

Retired Real Estate Broker

Rent control is dangerous as investors make the financial commitment that someone else wants to control.

Feb 12, 2026 06:14 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Minot, ND

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT

Retired Real Estate Broker

Rent control is dangerous as investors make the financial commitment that someone else wants to control.

Feb 12, 2026 06:14 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Minot, ND

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518

Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC

Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

Excellent post on a critical issue, Kelly. Your point about rent control discouraging long-term investment is particularly important. While the intention behind such policies is often to help, the historical data consistently shows that they can lead to a decrease in both the quality and quantity of available housing. Thank you for providing these resources so that property owners and residents can stay informed on how this ballot question impacts the entire real estate ecosystem!

Feb 12, 2026 06:16 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Minot, ND

Kelly McGovern

Now to get them out and vote on this ballot question Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518

Feb 13, 2026 10:08 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Hi Kelly... rent control is a horrible thing for housing. I know what it did in NY City where it was very prevalent when I was growing up in the 1950's and 1960's. Then the city when to a rent stabilization format, but that too impacted availability and cost of housing.

Feb 12, 2026 06:20 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Minot, ND

GilbertRealtor BillSalvatore

Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ

Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Great information. Thanks for sharing, enjoy your upcoming weekend, and sell a house. Bill Salvatore

Feb 12, 2026 07:58 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Minot, ND

Will Hamm

Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO

"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Kelly and thank you for sharing this with us, I love to see the video that they came out with for people to see.

Feb 12, 2026 08:12 AM

Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA
Bob "RealMan" Timm

Minot, ND

Bob "RealMan" Timm

Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND

Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

Thanks for the link Kelly McGovern (please set it to open in a new window and not take us away from AR). I would never purchase rental property if this were to be implemented in North Dakota.

Feb 12, 2026 12:18 PM

Bob "RealMan" Timm

Minot, ND
Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA

Doug Dawes

Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA

Your Personal Realtor®

Hello Kelly McGovern

MA is out of control. This is what happens in a one-party system. Rent control is not a good thing, and I do hope the voters of MA wake up and take notice.

Feb 12, 2026 01:10 PM

Bob "RealMan" Timm

Minot, ND
Kelly McGovern

Bellingham, MA

Kelly McGovern

It's so bad Doug Dawes ! I'm not liking what's happening here in my state.

Feb 13, 2026 10:08 AM

Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner

Denver, CO

Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Kelly, this could really damage a market for investors and even those homeowners that need to rent out there home for a while so they can return. Hope it doesn't pass.

Feb 12, 2026 02:22 PM