Blog - Archived - Page 22 of 113

New Tenancies Must Include Notice to Renters About Safe Housing Rights (2023)

First Published May 31st, 2023 | Updated August 5th, 2025 Posted in News - 12 Comments

This shows a cropped section of the new state-issued Notice of Occupants’ Legal Rights and Responsibilities against a red background. The section reads: “Your Right to Safe and Healthy Housing and Protection from Retaliation. If you think that conditions in your home are unsafe or unsanitary and may violate the Housing Code, you should contact your local health department. They will conduct free inspections of your home and will order your landlord to fix any violations of the Housing Code. You can find contact information for your local health department by calling your city or town hall or visiting their website. City/town websites are listed at: mass.gov/lists/Massachusetts-city-and-town-websites. Your landlord is not allowed to raise your rent or try to evict you just because you have made a complaint to them or to the local health department about the violations. This is called retaliation, and you may be able to sue the landlord for damages if this happens (M.G.L. c186, s.18 and c.239, s.2A).

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires all tenants to be notified about their rights to safe housing; however, as worded, the notice does not benefit landlords or renters.

Three Years After Covid Shutdowns, Same Problems Still Frustrate the Rental Assistance Application Process

First Published May 30th, 2023 | Updated September 25th, 2025 Posted in News - 0 Comments

a man with a white moustache, wearing a blue baseball cap, blue t-shirt and white shorts, stands in front of a modern brick apartment building with “CVC” stenciled on an awning, manicured lawn and trimmed bushes, on a sunny day.

While some improvements have been made with the RAFT application process, delays and lack of communication and transparency continue to frustrate applicants.

Should You Take Last Month’s Rent at Lease Signing?

First Published May 26th, 2023 | Updated October 30th, 2025 Posted in News - 2 Comments

This is a close up of two people in dress shirts shaking hands in an office setting. The person on the left wears a blue dress shirt, the one on the right wears a white dress shirt. Their hands take up most of the image.

The law entitles landlords to collect the last month’s rent when a new tenancy begins, but should you? If you do, what rules must you follow?

Eviction Sealing Hearing Held May 9 at State House

First Published May 25th, 2023 | Updated December 5th, 2024 Posted in News - 2 Comments

A view from the State Housing hearing camera looks down on a packed hearing room with thin commercial carpet, wood table and four chairs for testimony. Two chairs are occupied, at left by Senator Edwards in a sleeveless dress and at right by Greg Vasil in a suit with bow tie. Behind them are four rows of benches full of people waiting to speak and a line of people standing at the back of the room.

Find out what happened at the State House hearing on eviction sealing held May 9, 2023.

Can Landlords Refuse Cash and Require Check or Electronic Rent Payments?

Posted on May 16th, 2023 Posted in News - 4 Comments

A black leather wallet is open against a pale blue background. Multiple hundred dollar bills are peeking over the edge of the section of the wallet designed to hold cash.

Massachusetts law says retail establishments cannot refuse to take cash, but can landlords require other methods of payment?

Statewide Hearing Tue May 9th: Eviction Sealing, Eminent Domain

First Published May 4th, 2023 | Updated May 9th, 2023 Posted in events, policy - 1 Comment

Join us Tues. May 9th at the State House to testify against eviction sealing and in favor of eminent domain reform.

Massachusetts’ Open Meeting Law Does Not Apply to State Legislature

Posted on May 4th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

This is a cartoon image of a person seated at a computer desk, as seen from behind. They sit in front of a large computer monitor with an image of a state capitol building on the screen. Surrounding the screen are images of paper that are colored green or brown and say either “Approved” or “Proposed.”

Nearly all states make their House and Senate subject to open meeting laws. Massachusetts is among the few that refuses that level of transparency.

Open Letter to Members on Eviction Sealing Hearing Tues. May 9

First Published May 3rd, 2023 | Updated December 5th, 2024 Posted in evictions, policy - 6 Comments

Eviction sealing hearing Tuesday May 9 needs full turnout from landlords, owners and property manages.

Letter from the Executive Director for May 2023: Lots of Policy Work

Posted on May 1st, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Our Letter from the Executive Director for May 2023 reminds us of the new sanitary code and looks at policy and operational developments from April.

Summary Process Duration Tripled Under FY2024 Budget Proposal

First Published April 27th, 2023 | Updated June 6th, 2023 Posted in News - 4 Comments

A graph shows days duration from 0 to 500 across time from April 2019 through August 2021. The mean, median and 95th percentile summary process case are all three times longer than before the pandemic.

Chapter 257 of the Acts of 2020 tripled summary process duration while we waited for rental assistance. Now the legislature aims to bring it back.