News
May 9, 2013
RHA Member Advisory: HUD Limits Landlords' Right to Disapprove Companion Animals
Advocacy
The Greater Boston Real Estate Board supports a comprehensive government affairs program designed to foster a political and legal environment in which members can operate their business successfully. Thousands of bills are filed at the State House during each legislative session-many impacting the real estate industry. GBREB reviews each bill for its potential impact on our members, actively tracking and testifying on all of them. Advocacy extends to the regulatory arena, making sure that government imposed mandates and regulations are rational and cost effective. GBREB keeps members up to date on all of the issues affecting them and encourages active member involvement in the political process.
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Research
The Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB) and The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International recently announced the release of “An Economic Perspective on Building Labeling Policies,” a report co-authored by Harvard University Environmental Economist Robert N. Stavins that examines the extent to which mandatory building energy labeling results in reduced energy use. The research and the resulting report were sponsored by BOMA International and GBREB.
The project was prompted by increased interest in laws mandating energy scores and energy efficiency programs throughout the United States and in Massachusetts. It seeks to answer the question of the effectiveness of these programs. Read more
Legislative News
On May 8th at noon the Boston City Council will vote on the proposed “energy disclosure law” which captures condominiums, apartments and office buildings. The vote will be held at Boston City Hall, on the 5th Floor Council Chamber, meetings are open to the public.
Energy Initiative Creates Pushback
Real Estate Groups Oppose Mayor’s Plan. Costs May outweigh benefits, study says.
By Alyssa Edes, Boston Globe, March 28th
“Programs that require commercial property owners to monitor and publicly report energy and water consumption in their buildings impose financial burdens on the owners with no guarantee of producing significant energy savings, according to a report commissioned by commercial real estate groups to be released Thursday. Read more
Labeling Plan isn't Worth the Energy
By Lawrence Harmon, Boston Globe, March 16, 2013
"Mayor Menino wants building owners in Boston to collect data on their energy use and lay it at his feet." Read more
Call It What You Want: Building Labeling is a Tax
In Boston, It Will Hit Tenants and Small Commercial Building Owners Hardest
Op Ed by Greg Vasil, Banker & Tradesman, March 4, 2013
"The city of Boston is about to layer yet another level of penalties and fees on owners of condominiums, apartments and commercial buildings, and these assessments are sure to hit those least able to afford them the hardest." Read more
Neighborhood Network News
Interview by Chris Lovett, March 1, 2013
Think globally, mandate locally?
Herald Staff, Boston Herald, February 24, 2013
"Boston Mayor Tom Menino is launching a new greenhouse gas “disclosure” program that would require city property owners to ’fess up to just how much icky stuff their buildings are emitting into the atmosphere. The city insists it won’t try to mandate investments in energy efficiency. Uh-huh." Read more
Menino takes on buildings' energy use
Wants reports, ratings online; commercial owners fear a stigma
by Alyssa Edes, Boston Globe, February 22, 2013
"Mayor Thomas M. Menino, seeking to encourage Boston businesses to be more energy conscious, is proposing a new law that would require commcerial building owners to report annual energy and water use to the city, which would in turn make it public." Read more
Cutting emissions to cost Boston building owners $838M
Lots of green to go green
by Marie Szaniazlo, Boston Herald, February 14, 2013
"Mayor Thomas M. Menino and his Green Ribbon Commission of business leaders want to cut the city's greenshouse gas emissions dramatically over th enext seven years, but th eprice tag for commercial and industrial property owners alone will be a staggering $838 million." Read more
Click here to see a copy of the proposal. | Bill Summary
SJC Decisions Limits Local Fire Department Rules | May 4, 2012
New Medical Marijuana Law May Create New Obligations For Property Owners and Managers...read more
The Political Edge
With election season in full swing, policymaking has turned to politics as legislators return to the district to campaign...read more...