Gov. Maura Healey signed a $60.9 billion budget for the 2026 fiscal year on July 4. It includes a provision eliminating renter-paid broker fees.

Under the new rule, broker fees for rentals become the responsibility of the party who hired the broker. This means brokers may only charge a fee to the landlord or tenant they contracted with originally.

“This is a fiscally responsible budget that will make Massachusetts more affordable,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll in a press release. “It saves renters thousands of dollars by eliminating broker’s fees, makes regional transit free, keeps community college cost-free, increases financial aid at state schools, makes it easier to find child care and protects free school meals.”