Blog - Archived - Page 29 of 106

Letter from the Executive Director for January 2022: Goals for 2022

Posted on December 30th, 2021 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Our Letter from the Executive Director for January 2022 discusses our election results, the lawsuit we filed, and our goals for 2022.

MassLandlords Annual Election Results 2021: Sullivan

Posted on December 30th, 2021 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A box and whisker plot showing election results for the 2021 election on a scale of 0 to 5 for Allyson Gray, Sanjiv Reejhsinghani, and Patrick Sullivan. Allyson Gray did well and shows a concentrated band of support. Sanjiv Reejhsinghani and Patrick Sullivan showed higher overall support and nearly identical ranges of scores, wider than Allyson's range of scores.

The 2021 election results include Patrick Sullivan on the Board of Directors. This article covers who won the 2021 election, who ran, and how you can get involved for next time.

How to Properly Consider Applicants with Permanent Rental Assistance Using an Applicant Qualifier

First Published December 24th, 2021 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 5 Comments

Cutout of a MassLandlords Applicant Qualifier form showing the section on ability to pay, highlighting 20 points awarded.

How to screen applicants receiving Section 8, MRVP or other rental assistance carefully and thoroughly for your best interest.

How to Avoid Housing Discrimination Based on Age

First Published December 16th, 2021 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A pencil drawing of an optical illusion sits in an ornate-looking frame. The drawing is of a woman in a fur coat, and looks like a young woman in her 20s or an elderly lady depending on how you view it. In a speech bubble, the woman states, “It doesn’t matter how old I am.”

Discriminating against renters because landlords feel they are too young or too old can put housing providers in violation of the Fair Housing Act.

The Bellus Lawsuits: Denying Leases for the Wrong Reasons Can Send Landlords to Court

First Published December 9th, 2021 | Updated April 12th, 2023 Posted in News - 4 Comments

A street view of a two-story brick house with a grey roof, three attic windows and a round classical-style white porch. There are tall shrubs in front of the house and tree branches are visible in the upper right corner of the image.

A spate of discrimination lawsuits from Bellus Real Estate indicates landlord actions are under the microscope when screening tenants.

Letter from the Executive Director for December 2021: Choose Our Next Director

First Published November 26th, 2021 | Updated April 14th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Our Letter from the Executive Director for December 2021 discusses our annual elections, a possible public records lawsuit, and our dues increase.

Notice of Annual Meeting: MassLandlords Annual Elections December 8 through 21, 2021

First Published November 26th, 2021 | Updated April 14th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Members in good standing must vote in the 2021 election online at MassLandlords.net/governance. Nominations through Dec. 7. Vote Dec. 8 through 21.

MassLandlords to Attorney General: Amend Landlord-Tenant Security Deposit Regulations Verbiage

First Published November 21st, 2021 | Updated April 14th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

The first of three pages in a letter from Attorney Peter Vickery on behalf of MassLandlords to Attorney General Maura Healey. The top of the letter bears the letterhead of Bobrowski and Vickery, LLC, and has contact information for both the law firm and the attorney general. It is titled “Petition to Amend 940 CMR 3.17. The letter reads as follows: Dear Attorney General Healey: On behalf of MassLandlords, Inc., and pursuant to G.L. c. 30A, Section 4, I respectfully petition you to amend 940 CMR 3.17 so as to delete from 3.17 (4) (k) the words “or...otherwise fail to comply with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 186, s. 15B.” By these words, 3.17 (4) (k) imposes treble damages and attorney’s fees for violations of the security-deposit law that the Legislature exempted from these remedies. The statute (G.L. 186 Section 15B) imposes treble damages for violating three specific paragraphs of subsection 6, namely paragraphs (a), (d), and (e): If the lessor or his agent fails to comply with clauses (a), (d), or (e) of subsection 6, the tenant shall be awarded damages in an amount equal to three times the amount of such security deposit or balance thereof to which the tenant is entitled plus interest at the rate of five per cent from the date when such payment became due, together with court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees. G.L. c. 186 section 15B (7). In providing for treble damages and attorney’s fees for these particular violations, the Legislature chose not to impose treble damages for violations of subsection 6(b) and (c), which impose forfeiture as the sole remedy against any landlord who: (b) fails to furnish to the tenant within thirty days after the termination of the occupancy the itemized list of damages, if any, in compliance with the provisions of this section; [or] (c) uses in any lease signed by the tenant any provision which conflicts with any provision of this section and attempts to enforce such provision or attempts to obtain from this tenant or prospective tenant a waiver of any provision of this section. The Legislature chose multiple damages as the remedy for violations of three paragraphs of subsection 6, and forfeiture as the remedy for violations of the other two paragraphs. Letter continues in next image.

A petition to Attorney General Maura Healey requests that language allowing treble damages for security deposits be removed.

How to Avoid Housing Discrimination Based on Someone’s Religion

First Published November 11th, 2021 | Updated April 12th, 2023 Posted in News - 3 Comments

an overhead view of a densely settled neighborhood, with homes, a school and two houses of worship. The houses of worship and school are labeled by Google Earth. One house is circled in red. A text box reads “2 Bedroom for Rent” and has “Near Synagogue” and “Steps to Baptist Church” crossed off in red. The sentence “0.25 mile to high school” has a green check mark beside it.

Applying fair housing practices to all renters regardless of their religious beliefs (or lack thereof) goes beyond tenant selection.

Two New California Laws Aim to Boost Housing Supply

First Published November 11th, 2021 | Updated April 20th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

bus station with one bus stopped in downtown San Leandro, California.

In signing two new California laws, Gov. Gavin Newsom continues a sustained legislative effort to incentivize and facilitate denser housing.