85 Hancock St, Cambridge

MA › Middlesex County › CambridgeA0230

In plain words

What this means for a renter at this address on 2026-10-01.

Rent increases

Applies. Cities and towns in Massachusetts may not enact, keep or enforce rent control. A municipality that accepts the chapter may only adopt voluntary regulation that does not cover units owned by someone with fewer than ten rental units or units with fair market rent above $400, and it must compensate owners from general funds. (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40P, § 4)

Proposed only — not law. This bill would authorize the city of Boston to adopt rent stabilization. It has not become law, and the page sets no rent cap or formula. (H.3744 (193rd Gen. Ct.))

Eviction protection

Proposed only — not law. This bill would authorize Boston to adopt tenant eviction protections. It has not become law, and the page does not list permitted eviction grounds or notice requirements. (H.3744 (193rd Gen. Ct.))

Security deposit

Applies. A landlord may not charge a security deposit of more than one month's rent. The deposit must be held in a separate interest-bearing Massachusetts bank account, with a receipt and a statement of condition given to the tenant, and returned within 30 days after the tenancy ends, less only permitted deductions. (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B)

Application fees

Applies. Before or at the start of a tenancy, a landlord or agent may not require a tenant to pay more than the first month's rent, last month's rent, a security deposit of one month's rent, and the cost of a key and lock. (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B)

Applies. A licensed broker or salesperson may work for either the tenant or the landlord, not both. Any broker fee must be paid only by the party (landlord or tenant) who originally hired the broker, so a tenant does not pay a fee for a broker the landlord hired. (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 112, § 87DDD½)

Tenant screening

Applies. Landlords in Cambridge may not discriminate against renters or applicants based on source of income, including Section 8 vouchers and public benefits. Applicants may be selected on reasonable standards applied equally, such as ability to pay rent and ability to care for the apartment. (Cambridge Fair Housing Ordinance, Cambridge Municipal Code ch. 14.04)

Applies. A landlord or anyone furnishing rental housing may not discriminate against you because you receive public assistance or a housing subsidy such as rental assistance. They also may not discriminate because of a requirement of that assistance or subsidy program. (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 151B, § 4(10))

Rent-pricing software

Proposed only — not law. This Massachusetts bill, aimed at preventing algorithmic rent fixing in rental housing, has been reported by the Housing Committee and sent to House Ways and Means. It is not law, and the page does not show its text or specific requirements. (H.5222 (194th Gen. Ct.))

Proposed only — not law. A bill reported by the Senate Housing Committee would prohibit algorithmic rent setting in the rental housing market. It has not been enacted; it is currently referred to Senate Ways and Means, and the page does not give the bill's detailed terms. (S.2983 (194th Gen. Ct.))

Legal information, not legal advice.

Every rule, with its source

6 apply · 4 pending

Rent increase limits

Applies

Massachusetts statewide prohibition on rent control (G.L. c. 40P, § 4)

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40P, § 4 · MA · high confidence

Cities and towns in Massachusetts may not enact, keep or enforce rent control. A municipality that accepts the chapter may only adopt voluntary regulation that does not cover units owned by someone with fewer than ten rental units or units with fair market rent above $400, and it must compensate owners from general funds.

Key value ban on local rent control of any kind

Statewide MA rule; in force. Coverage conditions are met on the supplied facts.

State law preempts local rent control; it bars municipalities from enacting rent control except for the narrow voluntary, compensated regime described. The document does not show the enactment or effective date.

Show reasoning

Exemptions in the law: Municipalities that accept the chapter may adopt rent control meeting the conditions in (a)-(c); regulation may not regulate occupancy, services, evictions, condominium conversion or removal of properties from regulation.

JurisdictiontrueLegal statusin_forceCoveragetrue

No property-level conditions extracted: the rule covers all residential rentals in its jurisdiction.

Pending — not law

H.3744 – Special law authorizing Boston to implement rent stabilization

H.3744 (193rd Gen. Ct.) · MA · medium confidence

This bill would authorize the city of Boston to adopt rent stabilization. It has not become law, and the page sets no rent cap or formula.

Statewide MA rule; a pending proposal, not law. Coverage conditions are met on the supplied facts.

Home-rule petition granting Boston authority; local approval received. Bill history ends with a study order (H5035) on 9/9/2024; no enactment shown.

Show reasoning

JurisdictiontrueLegal statuspendingCoveragetrue

No property-level conditions extracted: the rule covers all residential rentals in its jurisdiction.

Just-cause eviction

Pending — not law

H.3744 – Special law authorizing Boston to implement tenant eviction protections

H.3744 (193rd Gen. Ct.) · MA · medium confidence

This bill would authorize Boston to adopt tenant eviction protections. It has not become law, and the page does not list permitted eviction grounds or notice requirements.

Statewide MA rule; a pending proposal, not law. Coverage conditions are met on the supplied facts.

Home-rule petition granting Boston authority; local approval received. Bill history ends with a study order (H5035) on 9/9/2024; no enactment shown.

Show reasoning

JurisdictiontrueLegal statuspendingCoveragetrue

No property-level conditions extracted: the rule covers all residential rentals in its jurisdiction.

Security deposits

Applies

Massachusetts security deposit cap and handling rules

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B · MA · medium confidence

A landlord may not charge a security deposit of more than one month's rent. The deposit must be held in a separate interest-bearing Massachusetts bank account, with a receipt and a statement of condition given to the tenant, and returned within 30 days after the tenancy ends, less only permitted deductions.

Key value Maximum security deposit of 1 month's rent

Statewide MA rule; in force. Coverage conditions are met on the supplied facts. Assumes exemption "Short-term vacation or recreational rental" does not apply (not determinable from data).

The statute allows the executive office of housing and livable communities to authorize by regulation an optional fee in lieu of a deposit, capped with the deposit at 1 month's rent in total (amended text effective 2025-08-01). The document does not show when the deposit cap itself first took effect.

Show reasoning

Exemptions in the law: Leases, rentals, occupancies or tenancies of 100 days or less for vacation or recreational purposes.

JurisdictiontrueLegal statusin_forceCoveragetrue

Exemption: Short-term vacation or recreational rental (all of) → false

unknownLease, rental, occupancy or tenancy of 100 days or less in duration for a vacation or recreational purposeFact: not in data

Application & screening fees

Applies

Massachusetts limit on upfront charges at tenancy start

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B · MA · medium confidence

Before or at the start of a tenancy, a landlord or agent may not require a tenant to pay more than the first month's rent, last month's rent, a security deposit of one month's rent, and the cost of a key and lock.

Key value Upfront payments limited to first month, last month, 1-month deposit, and key/lock cost

Statewide MA rule; in force. Coverage conditions are met on the supplied facts. Assumes exemption "Short-term vacation or recreational rental" does not apply (not determinable from data).

The 'lessor or agent of the lessor' wording is in the text effective 2025-08-01 (2025, 9, Secs. 54 and 55). Same law as the security deposit record, different category.

Show reasoning

Exemptions in the law: Leases, rentals, occupancies or tenancies of 100 days or less for vacation or recreational purposes.

JurisdictiontrueLegal statusin_forceCoveragetrue

Exemption: Short-term vacation or recreational rental (all of) → false

unknownLease, rental, occupancy or tenancy of 100 days or less in duration for a vacation or recreational purposeFact: not in data

Applies

Broker fees paid only by the party who hired the broker

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 112, § 87DDD½ · MA · high confidence

A licensed broker or salesperson may work for either the tenant or the landlord, not both. Any broker fee must be paid only by the party (landlord or tenant) who originally hired the broker, so a tenant does not pay a fee for a broker the landlord hired.

Key value Broker fee payable only by the party who engaged the broker

Statewide MA rule; in force (effective 2025-08-01). Coverage conditions are met on the supplied facts.

Amended by St. 2025, c. 9, § 43, effective August 1, 2025 (per St. 2025, c. 9, § 136). The prior text only required a license to find dwellings for a fee.

Show reasoning

JurisdictiontrueLegal statusin_forceCoveragetrue

No property-level conditions extracted: the rule covers all residential rentals in its jurisdiction.

Screening restrictions

Applies

Cambridge Fair Housing Ordinance – source of income protection

Cambridge Fair Housing Ordinance, Cambridge Municipal Code ch. 14.04 · Cambridge, MA · medium confidence

Landlords in Cambridge may not discriminate against renters or applicants based on source of income, including Section 8 vouchers and public benefits. Applicants may be selected on reasonable standards applied equally, such as ability to pay rent and ability to care for the apartment.

Key value source of income (incl. Section 8 and public benefits) is a protected category

Cambridge, MA city rule; in force. Coverage conditions are met on the supplied facts.

City ordinance; the document also notes Fair Housing Ordinance cases may be removed to Massachusetts Superior Court or the Attorney General's Office. Effective date not shown in the document.

Show reasoning

Exemptions in the law: Exemption for 2-family dwellings when the owner lives there.

JurisdictiontrueLegal statusin_forceCoveragetrue

Exemption: Owner-occupied 2-family dwelling (all of) → false

falseTwo-family dwellingFact: multifamily · Cambridge Property Database FY2026 (waa7-ibdu) · use code 112 >8-UNIT-APT
unknownOwner lives in the dwellingFact: not in data (owner occupancy not in data)

Missing facts that cannot change this answer

Irrelevant here: exemption "Owner-occupied 2-family dwelling" also requires "Two-family dwelling", which is false (multifamily · Cambridge Property Database FY2026 (waa7-ibdu) · use code 112 >8-UNIT-APT); a conjunction with a false part is false whatever "Owner lives in the dwelling" is.

Applies

Massachusetts source-of-income / public assistance discrimination ban (c. 151B, § 4(10))

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 151B, § 4(10) · MA · high confidence

A landlord or anyone furnishing rental housing may not discriminate against you because you receive public assistance or a housing subsidy such as rental assistance. They also may not discriminate because of a requirement of that assistance or subsidy program.

Key value ban on discrimination against recipients of public assistance or housing subsidies

Statewide MA rule; in force. Coverage conditions are met on the supplied facts.

Show reasoning

JurisdictiontrueLegal statusin_forceCoveragetrue

No property-level conditions extracted: the rule covers all residential rentals in its jurisdiction.

Algorithmic rent-setting

Pending — not law

H.5222 - An Act relative to preventing algorithmic rent fixing in the rental housing market

H.5222 (194th Gen. Ct.) · MA · medium confidence

This Massachusetts bill, aimed at preventing algorithmic rent fixing in rental housing, has been reported by the Housing Committee and sent to House Ways and Means. It is not law, and the page does not show its text or specific requirements.

Key value prevent algorithmic rent fixing (bill text not shown)

Statewide MA rule; a pending proposal, not law. Coverage conditions are met on the supplied facts.

Bill is a new draft of H.1564, reported favorably 3/12/2026 and referred to House Ways and Means; not enacted. Page does not state preemption or local-law interaction.

Show reasoning

JurisdictiontrueLegal statuspendingCoveragetrue

No property-level conditions extracted: the rule covers all residential rentals in its jurisdiction.

Pending — not law

An Act prohibiting algorithmic rent setting (S.2983)

S.2983 (194th Gen. Ct.) · MA · medium confidence

A bill reported by the Senate Housing Committee would prohibit algorithmic rent setting in the rental housing market. It has not been enacted; it is currently referred to Senate Ways and Means, and the page does not give the bill's detailed terms.

Key value proposed ban on algorithmic rent setting

Statewide MA rule; a pending proposal, not law. Coverage conditions are met on the supplied facts.

Bill history only; the bill text is not shown. It is a new draft of S.994 and S.1016 and was referred to Senate Ways and Means on 3/12/2026.

Show reasoning

JurisdictiontrueLegal statuspendingCoveragetrue

No property-level conditions extracted: the rule covers all residential rentals in its jurisdiction.

Building facts

Legal city: Cambridgemunicipal-assessor-roll: 85 Hancock St (ev-70466276b0)
County: Middlesex County
Year built: 1996 · Cambridge Property Database FY2026 (waa7-ibdu)
Units: 18 · Cambridge Property Database FY2026 (waa7-ibdu)
Certificate of occupancy: 1996-01-01–1996-12-31 (presumed) · Cambridge Property Database FY2026 (waa7-ibdu) · bounded from year built 1996 (assumes first CO within 0 year of construction); no CO record
Property type: multifamily · Cambridge Property Database FY2026 (waa7-ibdu) · use code 112 >8-UNIT-APT
Owner type: not in data (owner names deliberately excluded from sample)
Owner-occupied: not in data (owner occupancy not in data)
Owner portfolio: not in data (owner portfolio not in data)
Deed-restricted / subsidized: false (presumed) · Cambridge Property Database FY2026 (waa7-ibdu) · no subsidy/deed restriction recorded in assessor use code
Assessor use: 112 >8-UNIT-APT

Public records consulted

ev-70466276b0 · municipal-assessor-roll · validated · used
city: "Cambridge"
Exact source span
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A0230,85 Hancock St,Cambridge,MA,,Cambridge Property Database FY2026 (waa7-ibdu),2026-10-01T22:50Z
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source · retrieved 2026-10-01T22:50

Audit view source, retrieval date, as-of date and reasoning boundary per answer

Audit trail for each answer
Rule	Result	Source	Retrieved	As of	Reasoning boundary	Confidence
r-14fdaaCambridge Fair Housing Ordinance, Cambridge Municipal Code ch. 14.04	applies	D029	2026-10-01	2026-10-01	decided by supplied facts	medium
r-bd9ba7H.5222 (194th Gen. Ct.)	pending	D045	2026-10-01	2026-10-01	decided by supplied facts	medium
r-ec514bS.2983 (194th Gen. Ct.)	pending	D047	2026-10-01	2026-10-01	decided by supplied facts	medium
r-4fd1aaMass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B	applies	D052	2026-10-01	2026-10-01	decided by supplied factspresumes: exemption "Short-term vacation or recreational rental" does not apply (not determinable from data)	medium
r-a53f01Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 112, § 87DDD½	applies	D057	2026-10-01	2026-10-01	decided by supplied facts	high
r-1e1509H.3744 (193rd Gen. Ct.)	pending	D011	2026-10-01	2026-10-01	decided by supplied facts	medium
r-a975c9Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 40P, § 4	applies	D048	2026-10-01	2026-10-01	decided by supplied facts	high
r-43044bH.3744 (193rd Gen. Ct.)	pending	D011	2026-10-01	2026-10-01	decided by supplied facts	medium
r-34a0a6Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 151B, § 4(10)	applies	D049	2026-10-01	2026-10-01	decided by supplied facts	high
r-9e0d5cMass. Gen. Laws ch. 186, § 15B	applies	D052	2026-10-01	2026-10-01	decided by supplied factspresumes: exemption "Short-term vacation or recreational rental" does not apply (not determinable from data)	medium

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Legal information, not legal advice. Covers the supplied corpus only (3 states, 10 cities, 6 rule categories); absence of a rule here is not proof that none exists. Results as of 2026-10-01. Snapshot snap-eea786560def.