It’s getting harder and harder to understand the logic of rent control supporters.
What do they actually want? What problem do they think they are solving? How do they think this ballot question will solve it?
In just the last week, rent control supporters have given the following contradictory statements on the record in the press:
“In general, we believe this is really about the large rent increases we see, particularly in corporate landlords. Most landlords are not raising the rent huge amounts, year over year.” – Homes for All Massachusetts, Banker & Tradesman, April 24, 2026
“If you don’t have the resources to make it livable, maybe you shouldn’t be a landlord here in Boston.” Boston City Councilor Ben Weber, NBC 10, April 30, 2026
Which is it? Are they trying to protect small landlords, as they repeatedly, and falsely, claim? Or are they trying to make it so expensive and financially draining to own and operate rental properties that only the largest investors and property owners have the margins to stay afloat?
The longer this campaign goes on, the more irrational and nonsensical the claims from proponents become. In that same Banker & Tradesman quote, Homes for All Massachusetts also outrageously stated:
“The average person who owns a two- or three-family would be exempted from this policy.”
That quote is so false as to be laughable. The only exemptions are for owner-occupied units of four units or fewer. Not only would the “average person,” not be exempt, but ANY PERSON who owns a two or three family but doesn’t live in it would NOT BE EXEMPT.
As the graphic here illustrates, if you own a three family but don’t live in it, even if you live next door or across the street, your property will be rent controlled under this ballot question.
If you own a condo or single family home that you rent out it will be controlled by this ballot question.
Those are the facts. This ballot question will only hurt small property owners without doing anything to address the housing crisis. Our campaign will continue to tell the truth about this proposal and the real impact it will have on renters, small property owners, condo owners, home owners, and entire communities.
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