By Bob Katzen

The House, on a voice vote without a roll call, gave initial approval to a measure that would mandate that the signing of a residential lease for renewal cannot be required to be executed more than four months in advance of the termination date of the current lease agreement.

“For years now, constituents have brought to my attention that they have experienced landlords pushing lease renewals six months or longer in advance,” said sponsor Rep. Tackey Chan (D-Quincy). “This is an unreasonably short time for tenants to figure out where they will live next, especially if the landlord will not renew the lease otherwise. This legislation is similar to a New York City ordinance.”