That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department to draft a home rule petition allowing Cambridge to end the practice of property owners passing on broker’s fees to tenants

O-8 FIRST IN COUNCIL March 3, 2025 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR SOBRINHO-WHEELER COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI COUNCILLOR AZEEM VICE MAYOR MCGOVERN WHEREAS: On February 25, 2025, the Neighborhood and Long Term Planning Committee hosted a meeting on broker’s fees to rent an apartment and other housing fees charged to tenants; and WHEREAS: At that committee meeting, staff from Greater Boston Legal Services and City staff in the Law Department, Housing Department, and Housing Liaison Office presented on how they have seen the impact of those fees in their work, what regulations currently exist around broker and other housing fees, and proposed legislation to regulate the practices; and WHEREAS: One of the recommendations from that meeting was that the City Council could submit a home rule petition in support of ending the practice of property owners passing on broker’s fees to tenants, similar to home rule petitions the Cities of Somerville and Boston have submitted; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Law Department to draft a home rule petition allowing Cambridge to end the practice of property owners passing on broker’s fees to tenants; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council in a timely manner.