H4081 — An Act relative to problem properties, enhancing fire safety and addressing resident displacement

Summary

An Act relative to problem properties, enhancing fire safety and addressing resident displacement

Bill Text

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The bill establishes the Tenant Fire Safety Trust Fund, modifies insurance and tax provisions related to fire safety, and creates new requirements and penalties for landlords concerning fire safety and tenant displacements.

• Section 7 of chapter 22D

  There shall be established and set up on the books of the commonwealth a Tenant Fire Safety Trust Fund to be expended, without further appropriation, by the state fire marshal for the purposes of establishing and administering a program to assist landlords and lessors with providing fire safety education and fire prevention measures in multi-unit residential properties.

  This creates a new fund for fire safety education and prevention support for landlords.

• Paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of section 2 of chapter 62

  Any amount paid by a residential landlord, lessor, property manager or tenant for the maintenance of a renters insurance policy.

  This allows certain payments for renters insurance to be deducted from taxable income.

• Paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of section 2 of chapter 62

  Any amount paid by a landlord, lessor or property manager for the installation or improvement of a sprinkler system, smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector or other fire safety and prevention device or system in their residential leasing property; provided, that such rental leasing property is located in the commonwealth; provided further, that the fire safety and prevention device or system is in compliance with the state sanitary code.

  This allows expenses for fire safety installations to be deducted from taxable income.

• Section 9 of chapter 143

  one hundred dollars → $200, 50 per cent of which shall be deposited in the Tenant Fire Safety Trust Fund established pursuant to section 7 of chapter 22D.

  This increases the fee related to certain inspections and allocates funds to the Tenant Fire Safety Trust Fund.

• Section 99 of chapter 175

  Fifteenth A → Fifteenth A, Every policy that insures multi-unit residential property against loss or damage by fire shall provide additional benefits, by endorsement attached to the policy, of $750, without deductible, for each rental unit in which any tenant or lawful occupant has been displaced by fire or by damage resulting from fire; provided, however, that every policy that insures a multi-unit residential property containing 6 or more units against loss or damage by fire shall provide additional benefits, by endorsement attached to the policy, of not less than $1,500, without deductible, for each rental unit to cover the actual costs of relocation of any tenant or lawful occupant displaced by fire or by damage resulting from fire.

  This mandates additional financial benefits in fire insurance policies for displaced tenants.

• Section 14 of chapter 186

  ; provided, that any such lessor or landlord that fails to furnish heat shall be punished by a fine of not more than $600, 50 per cent of which shall be deposited in the Tenant Fire Safety Trust Fund established pursuant to section 7 of chapter 22D.

  This introduces a fine for landlords who fail to provide heat, directing funds to the Tenant Fire Safety Trust Fund.

• Section 14 of chapter 186

  Any lessor or landlord of any building or part thereof occupied for dwelling purposes, other than a room or rooms in a hotel, but including a manufactured home or land therefor fails to furnish pest control services, who directly or indirectly interferes with the furnishing by another of pest control services or who transfers the responsibility for payment for pest control services to the occupant without their knowledge or consent shall be punished by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $600, 50 per cent of which shall be deposited in the Tenant Fire Safety Trust Fund established pursuant to section 7 of chapter 22D.

  This establishes fines for landlords regarding pest control responsibilities, with funds directed to the Tenant Fire Safety Trust Fund.

• Chapter 186

  The landlord or lessor of any residential property shall maintain an insurance policy against loss or damage by fire, which shall include coverage for alternative housing as a result of displacement from fire or damage from fire, pursuant to subsection (c). No landlord or lessor shall require a tenant to sign a waiver of liability as a condition for utilizing insurance policy benefits.

  This requires landlords to maintain fire insurance that includes alternative housing coverage for displaced tenants.

Sponsors

• David Henry Argosky LeBoeuf · Primary

Subjects