HB 6781 - Housing Affordability Summary

• Tenant Protections: Requires landlords to offer preoccupancy walk-throughs with standardized checklists (effective Jan 1, 2024) and prohibits retention of security deposits for pre-existing conditions; establishes discrimination protections against refusing tenants based on prior evictions (limited to past 5 years) or status as party to non-eviction summary process actions.

• Rental Application Restrictions: Prohibits landlords from charging processing fees or upfront charges beyond security deposits and reasonable tenant screening report fees (capped at actual cost); allows prospective tenants to waive screening fees by providing their own recent report.

• Senior and Disabled Tenant Protections: Protects eligible seniors and persons with disabilities in buildings with 5+ units from eviction except for nonpayment, fair rent increases, material noncompliance, or unit removal; establishes fair rent standards based on specific criteria.

• Affordable Housing and Development: Requires municipalities to develop "plans to affirmatively further fair housing" by June 1, 2024 (replacing prior affordable housing plans); creates Office of Responsible Growth; establishes sewer capacity inventory task force; allocates $75 million in bonds for hotel/office conversion to multifamily housing.

• Revenue and Funding: Increases conveyance tax on high-value residential transfers ($800k+) to 1.5-2.5% for corporate purchasers; directs excess deed tax revenue above $180 million annually to Housing Trust Fund; appropriates $238+ million for rental assistance, 2-1-1 programs, landlord relief pilot program, and housing support services.