Archive · 22 Aug 2025
Boston Landlords Fight City Over Property Valuations
Boston landlords are upset because the value of their office buildings has gone down, especially since many offices are empty.
They're asking the city to lower their property taxes because of this.
Many landlords are appealing their property tax bills, leading to a big jump in challenges.
This is bad for Boston because the city gets most of its money from property taxes.
Some people are accusing the Mayor of unfair practices related to these taxes.
There's disagreement about how to handle these tax changes, with one side worried about homeowners and the other about commercial property owners.
Boston landlords are challenging property assessments due to declining commercial property values.
Challenges to assessments have increased by 83% since 2024, the highest since at least 2020.
City officials lowered commercial property values by only 3% in the fiscal year ending June.
Mayor Michelle Wu faces criticism over property tax handling from business groups and mayoral candidates.
The city faces financial strain and relies heavily on property taxes.
- Who
- Boston landlords, Mayor Michelle Wu, and business groups
- What
- Boston landlords are challenging property assessments due to declining commercial property values.
- When
- Challenges to assessments have surged recently, the highest since at least 2020.
- Where
- Boston, Massachusetts
- Why
- Landlords are challenging assessments due to declining property values and high financing costs. The city relies heavily on property taxes which may cause financial strain.
Mayor Michelle Wu's Administration
Business Groups and Mayoral Candidates
Property Tax Handling
Mayor Michelle Wu's Administration
The administration views allegations as baseless and full of misinformation, guided by state law.
Business Groups and Mayoral Candidates
Business groups and mayoral candidates accuse the administration of illegally increasing property assessments.
Tax burden
Mayor Michelle Wu's Administration
Wu supports revitalizing downtown, offering grants, and tax incentives.
Business Groups and Mayoral Candidates
Josh Kraft opposes shifting more tax burden to commercial landlords, seeking a revival downtown.
- Increase in Challenges
- 83% since 2024
- Fiscal Year Decrease
- 3%
- City Budget Reliance
- 75% from property taxes
- Assessment of one property
- Initially $14.2M, nearly $2M was taken off.