Cal. Civ. Code § 7
Rent increases for protected low-income tenants after termination
Operative Text
Section 7. For 3 years after termination, the rent for a protected low-income tenant who does not receive an enhanced section 8 voucher shall not be increased more than once annually by the increase in the consumer price index applicable to the area in which the publicly-assisted housing is located during the preceding year plus 3 per cent. The foregoing shall not apply to a low-income tenant: (i) who is income eligible for an enhanced section 8 voucher but does not obtain one solely due to some action or inaction of the tenant on or after the date he is eligible to apply for the enhanced section 8 voucher; or (ii) who would be eligible for an enhanced section 8 voucher if this provision was not in effect. For a period of 3 years after termination, a protected low income tenant shall not be evicted or involuntarily displaced from his dwelling except for good cause related to tenant fault.
Under Mass. Gen. Laws c. 40T § 7, for three years following the termination of a publicly-assisted housing program, rent increases for protected low-income tenants who did not receive an enhanced Section 8 voucher are capped at once per year, with the allowable increase tied to the local Consumer Price Index for the prior year plus three percentage points. This rent-increase protection does not extend to tenants who were eligible for an enhanced Section 8 voucher but failed to obtain one due to their own actions or inactions, or who would have been eligible if the provision were not in effect. Separately, the same three-year post-termination window prohibits eviction or involuntary displacement of protected low-income tenants unless there is good cause directly related to tenant fault.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating formerly publicly-assisted housing subject to Mass. Gen. Laws c. 40T § 7 generally track which residents qualify as protected low-income tenants and whether each received an enhanced Section 8 voucher, since those determinations govern which rent-increase limits apply. Compliant operators typically document the applicable local CPI figure each year and ensure that any rent adjustment for a covered tenant does not exceed that index plus three percent, and is applied no more than once in a twelve-month period. During the three-year post-termination period, operators also generally ensure that any eviction or displacement action against a protected low-income tenant is grounded in good cause attributable to tenant fault, as required by § 7.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Mass. Gen. Laws c. 40T § 7 gives protected low-income tenants who did not receive an enhanced Section 8 voucher the right to have their rent raised no more than once a year, and only up to the local CPI increase plus three percent, for three years after the housing program ends. The same provision protects covered tenants from eviction or involuntary displacement during that period unless the landlord can show good cause tied to the tenant's own conduct. Tenants who believe a rent increase or eviction notice may violate § 7 can document the situation, reach out to a local tenant-rights organization, or explore whether a complaint with a relevant housing agency is an available path.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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