Blog - Archived - Page 28 of 113

State of Massachusetts Bans Mattress and Textile Disposal as of Nov. 1

First Published November 29th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 1 Comment

This is a cartoon image of a large apartment complex in the background, with a green Dumpster out front. Several white and blue mattresses are piled on the ground beside the dumpster.

Mattresses, clothes, shoes and other textiles must be donated or recycled rather than thrown away as part of the state’s expanded waste disposal ban.

How Much Are Your Massachusetts Property Taxes?

First Published November 28th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 3 Comments

Map of the United States color coded to illustrate amounts of property tax paid in each county across the nation.

Massachusetts property taxes, higher than in most states and ever-increasing, are enough to push some landlords out of the industry.

Landlording by the Numbers December 2022

Posted on November 23rd, 2022 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Notice of Annual Meeting 2022: MassLandlords Annual Elections Dec. 7 through Dec. 14

Posted on November 3rd, 2022 Posted in News - 3 Comments

Members in good standing must vote online at MassLandlords.net/vote in this year’s annual election.

Landlording by the Numbers November 2022

Posted on November 2nd, 2022 Posted in News - 4 Comments

Letter from the Executive Director for November 2022: Preparing for 193

Posted on November 1st, 2022 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Our Letter from the Executive Director for November 2022 looks back at October accomplishments and forward to the 193rd legislative session.

Spooky Alternatives to Hiring the Licensed Trades

Posted on October 31st, 2022 Posted in News - 0 Comments

This image shows a young man in a blue short-sleeve polo shirt kneeling beside a closed toilet in a bathroom with pink and black tiles. He stares down at the toilet, casting a spell. He wears gloves on his hands. In his left hand, which rests next to the toilet lid, he holds a magic wand. Perched on his right hand, which is raised to shoulder height, there is a newt, also looking down at the toilet.

Top tips for ghoulishly good results around your rental units

How to Avoid Discrimination on the Basis of Disability

First Published October 27th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

This cartoon image shows four people, three men and a woman, next to each other in front of an abstract white and yellow background. All are smiling. The second man is wearing sunglasses and has a white tipped cane; the man at the end of the row is sitting in a wheelchair.

Both the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act make it unlawful for housing providers to discriminate against someone based on their disability. What does that mean for landlords?

Landlord Held Responsible for Treble Damages and $17,000 in Attorneys’ Fees After Botched Security Deposit Handling

Posted on October 26th, 2022 Posted in News - 0 Comments

This image is a screen shot of the top portion of the first page of the appeals case for Jacob Slater v. Traynor Management. The page reads as follows: 21-P-1055, Appeals Court. Jacob Slater & another vs. Traynor Management, Inc., & another. No. 21-P-1055. Suffolk. June 7, 2022 through September 16, 2022. Present: Neyman, Sacks, & D’Angelo, JJ. Landlord and Tenant, Security deposit. Practice, Civil, Summary judgment, Discovery, Waiver, Attorney’s fees. Tender.

The case, Slater v. Traynor Management Company, won in court, with defendants losing their appeal in September 2022.

A Landlords’ Guide to Reasonable Accommodation for Tenants with Disabilities

First Published October 25th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 1 Comment

This is a cartoon image of a man in a wheelchair in a kitchen designed for someone with a disability. The counters are low, and the stove has front controls. The sink has an open area below it. On the stove, a smoking pan rests on the burner. Above the stove, a smoke alarm with visual alerts flashes red and green.

The law requires many housing providers to make reasonable modifications to accommodate disabilities, but what does “reasonable” mean, and which landlords are exempt from the requirements?