Hello Valued Property Owner,

We are excited to announce a change regarding the process for requesting rent increases. Starting Monday, July 17^th, contract rent increase requests may only be submitted using this LINK. The link can also be found in the Metro Housing|Boston Property Owner Portal found on our website. This link will bring you to an online submission form directly connected to the contract rent increase approval tracking sheet used by our Market Analysts. Now you can submit them right into the system yourself, eliminating the risk of requests being lost in unmonitored email accounts and guaranteeing they will be reviewed timely!

Please note, you are still having the tenant sign the rent increase request form (Found HERE, mobile vouchers only) and the form will be uploaded to the online submission portal. Requests missing the form, or the tenant’s signature, will not be reviewed.

Reminder:

Metro Housing|Boston will allow an increase in the contract rent at any point after the initial 12-month term of the lease, as long as all of the following are true:

• The proposed increase is determined to be rent reasonable.
• The owner has provided Metro Housing and the tenant with at least a 60-day notice of the rent increase effective date.
• The owner has not received a contract rent increase in the last 12-month period.
• The unit is HQS compliant.

Upon receipt of a rent increase request, the Market Analyst will review the request to determine it meets all the above requirements. If the request does not meet the requirements, they will send the Property Management and/or owner a copy of the rent increase denial letter. If the request meets the requirements, the Market Analyst will begin processing the rent increase. This process typically takes 30 days before notification is sent to the Property Management and/or Owner regarding the outcome of the review.

In other exciting news, Metro Housing|Boston has recently expanded the team responsible for processing the contract rent increases once they have been approved for timelier payments.

Any contract rent increase requests dated July 17, 2023 or later sent via mail, email, or dropped at the office will not be reviewed. To ensure your request will be processed, please be sure you are submitting them through the link above. The Owner Services email at ownerservices@metrohousingboston.org should only be used for questions regarding the status of outstanding contract rent increases (submitted more than 30 days prior) or payments.

For those Property Management Companies with Project Based Contracts: Please find your specific contract rent increase form HERE for all applicable bedrooms in your building. (Project Based Contracts only.)

Metro Housing will be conducting trainings in the coming weeks, and you will be notified of the dates, times, and Zoom credentials via email.

Thank you for your cooperation to ensure a smoother and more efficient contract rent increase process.

Best,

Metro Housing|Boston Leased Housing Department