Troy Boston/Photo courtesy of Equity Residential

The coronavirus pandemic is starting to accomplish what a historic building boom could not: put a temporary halt to apartment rent increases in Greater Boston.

Equity Residential, which owns more than 6,300 apartment units in the region, said Tuesday it’s offering renewals with no rent increases for the next 90 days, halting evictions, waiving late fees and offering payment plans for tenants.

The decision follows the recommendations this week of the National Multifamily Investment Council, which advised landlords to offer renewals with no rent increases for the next 90 days.

Chicago-based Equity Residential’s local portfolio includes such high-end projects as Troy Boston and the Lofts at Kendall Square II. Rents had risen 3.3 percent in the previous year, and executives had predicted more increases to come before the onset of the public health emergency.

The company, which is the nation’s second-largest multifamily landlord, said it will halt evictions for 90 days for residents who can document that they have been hurt financially by the pandemic. It’s also reducing hours for on-site employees with no reduction in compensation.

Equity Residential has not provided updated guidance on its financials, but said traffic is down across its 306-building national portfolio totaling over 79,000 units.

“While our same store portfolio remains very well occupied today at 96.5 percent  and we are seeing signs of increased retention, we are currently experiencing reduced foot traffic and applications due to the various restrictions put in place by governmental authorities,” CEO Mark Parrell said in a statement.