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When are Landlords Responsible for Crimes at Rentals? Chicopee Housing Authority, Former Director Named in Wrongful Death Suit

Posted on September 24th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A street view taken in autumn of a row of connected one-story brick apartment buildings at the end of a paved cul-de-sac. Trees with yellow and red leaves surround the buildings.

Plaintiffs allege CHA and Monica Blazic knew the accused was dangerous prior to the stabbing of Domingo Arocho. When is a landlord responsible for crime on their property?

Letter from the Executive Director for October 2024: MassLandlords Elections

Posted on September 24th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Our Letter from the Executive Director for October 2024 talks about housekeeping activities designed to ensure we continue to operate securely.

RealPage Automated Price-Optimization Software in DOJ Crosshairs for Possible Antitrust Violations

Posted on September 24th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

derivative illustration of the Sherman Antitrust Act on a piece of parchment with handwritten cursive, depicted as torn apart down the middle, with a large, black question mark overlaying the document.

Is it illegal collusion when thousands of landlords set rental prices based on an algorithm that includes nonpublic lease data? DOJ lawsuit will decide.

BlueHub Legislation Fails; Lawsuit Against Nonprofit Moves Forward

Posted on September 24th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A black and white screen shot of a nonprofit compensation report from 2022, headed “Key Employees and Officers,” with three categories: Compensation, Related, and Other. Three names are visible: Michael Nilles (Interim President, Loan Fun and Ex Officio Board), who received $277,073 in “Compensation” and $48,554 in “other”; Kathryn Mchugh (Svp, Commercial Lending), who received $223,899 in “Compensation” and $39,086 in “Other”; and Elyse Cherry (CEO and Ex Officio Board Member), who received $150,627 in compensation, $638,507 in “Related” and $209,792 in “Other.”

Economic development bill stalls after legislative session ends; homeowners claim they were not adequately informed about shared appreciation mortgages.

MassLandlords Website rentcontrolhistory.com Halts Multiple Calls for Rent Control

Posted on September 24th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Since its publication in winter 2024, our site rentcontrolhistory.com has been viewed more than 662,000 times. And all the attempts to revisit rent control have gone silent.

Zoom Powerpoints Moving to Videos for 2024 – 2025 Season (FAQ)

Posted on September 24th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

MassLandlords’ extensive repertoire of PowerPoints, previously given at live meetings, zooms and webinars, are being recorded.

Housing Bond Bill Signed by Governor Includes Single-Family ADUs by Right

Posted on September 17th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A two-column explainer image titled “Municipal ADU Restrictions for single-family land” with a small outline of a large house next to a smaller house at the top. The left column reads: Cities and Towns May: Have size restrictions. Have short-term rental restrictions. Require site plan reviews. Require dimensional setbacks. Have bulk and height regulations. Require only 1 parking space for ADUs more than .5 miles from a commuter station. Have other “reasonable restrictions.” The right column reads: Cities and Towns May Not: Impose special permit requirements for the first ADU on a property. Require any discretionary zoning approval for an ADU. Require a parking space for ADUs closer than .5 miles to a commuter station. Prohibit rentals of ADUs (except for short-term rentals). Impose owner-occupancy restrictions. Prohibit or “unreasonably restrict” ADUs. As a footnote, it reads: More than one ADU requires a special permit.

Gov. Healey’s Affordable Homes Act allows statewide construction of accessory dwelling units right on single-family plots of land.

A Monthly Fee Instead of a Security Deposit? Bond Bill Makes Rare Change to MGL 186 15B

Posted on September 11th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A cartoon image of a man and woman standing side by side against a blue background. The man holds an oversized paper currency bill; the woman holds an oversized gold-colored coin.

Bond bill provision allows EOHLC to make regulations that would give renters the option of paying a fee instead of an up-front security deposit.

What if Landlords Could Get Paid for Weeding? Your Ideas Wanted

Posted on September 5th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

closeup photo of oriental bittersweet, a green-leafed vine wrapped several times around a tree trunk.

Invasive, non-native plants on your properties are costing millions of dollars every year, and may indirectly prevent your renters from paying the rent. How can landlords help?

Letter from the Executive Director for September 2024: Eviction Sealing is Law

Posted on September 3rd, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Our Letter from the Executive Director for September 2024 talks about eviction sealing as enacted in the recent housing bond bill.