The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Athol Authorized to Regulate Manufactured Housing Park Rents and Evictions
Last action · April 13, 2026: Accompanied a study order, see H5352 (under House Rule 27)Sponsors: Susannah Whipps and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
The Town of Athol is authorized to pass ordinances regulating rents and evictions in manufactured housing parks and to establish a rent board with enforcement powers. Violations of board orders or town by-laws under this act carry fines of up to $1,000. The measure takes effect upon passage.
Manufactured housing park residents and park owners in Athol face new local rent control rules, eviction standards, and mandatory registration requirements overseen by a newly established municipal rent board.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
manufactured housing park owners in Athol
Park owners are subject to new municipal rent regulations, mandatory registration requirements under penalty of perjury, and potential fines of up to $1,000 for violations.
manufactured housing park tenants in Athol
Tenants gain access to a municipal rent board that can regulate rent adjustments and issue orders that may serve as a defense in eviction proceedings.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum fine for violating rent board orders or town by-laws under this act?
What factors will the rent board consider when adjusting rents?
Which courts handle reviews and enforcement of the rent board's orders?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
5 actions- Apr 13, 2026HouseAccompanied a study order, see H5352 (under House Rule 27)
- Jan 15, 2026HouseReporting date extended to Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- Nov 10, 2025JointHearing scheduled for 11/10/2025 from 12:00 PM-12:00 PM in Written Testimony Only
- Jun 23, 2025SenateSenate concurred
- Jun 18, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to the committee on Housing
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
malegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy50Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
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