Blog - Archived - Page 31 of 113

State Cans Two Most Egregious Rent Control Bills; Sends To Study

First Published August 17th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

This image is a screenshot of the top part of the first page of each of the bills mentioned in this article. The visible part of the background page reads “Senate Docket No. 1677 Filed On 2/18/2021, Senate No. 889, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.” The rest of the text is cut off. The partial page in the foreground reads “Senate Docket, No. 2348 Filed On 2/19/2021, Senate No. 886, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Presented by Adam Gomez. To the honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General Court assembled: The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill: An Act enabling local options for tenant protections.”

Senate bills S.886 and S.889 will not pass into law; rental assistance remains best path to fixing housing crisis.

Geothermal Pilot Project in Framingham Could Have Broad Impact on Rental Heating and Cooling

First Published August 11th, 2022 | Updated April 11th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Clean and new looking geothermal heat pump with exposed sides showing copper refrigerant lines and no exhaust vent. CC BY-SA 4-0 Tzeferis Petros.

A geothermal project in the Concord Street area of Framingham will provide data for possible similar projects using the ground to heat and cool buildings.

State Legislature Makes Tenants Rights Sheet Permanent Requirement for Issuing Notice to Quit, Temporarily Extends Copies and Continuances

First Published August 10th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 2 Comments

This image is a screenshot of the upper half of the tenant rights attestation form that must accompany a notice to quit. On the upper right are the dates of finalization, which read “Final 12-30-20, as amended 02-16-21, 6-23-21, 6-25-21, 8-04-21 and 5-11-22.” After that, the form reads: “Attestation form to accompany any residential notice to quit. This notice to quit is not an eviction. You do not need to immediately leave your unit. You are entitled to a legal process in which you can fight the eviction. Only a court order can force you to leave your unit. Pursuant to section 1(a) of Chapter 257 of the Acts of 2020, as amended by Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021, a notice to quit for nonpayment of rent given by a landlord to a residential tenant pursuant to section 11 or section 12 of chapter 186 of the General laws must be accompanied by this attestation form. A landlord’s obligation to provide her/his tenant(s) with this attestation form begins on the effective date of the law, December 31, 2020, and lasts until March 31, 2023. Instructions for completing this attestation form can be found here – here there is a link to the attestation form and submission information, as well as spaces to fill out the names of the landlords and tenants, and the address where the tenant lives. The form goes on to say “By signing below, Landlord is swearing that all of the following statements are true and correct

A pandemic requirement to notify tenants of their rights when served a notice to quit is now part of the law. Copies of notices and continuances pending rental assistance continue through March 31, 2023.

How to Avoid a Retaliation Complaint from Your Tenants

First Published August 9th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 3 Comments

This image is a cartoon drawing of a group of about 12 people standing on the street outside an apartment building. Two are holding a large banner that reads “Main Street Tenants Union.” Other people are holding smaller signs that read “Free Cable,” “Lower Rent,” “Vote for Me,” “Better Lease Terms,” “Yes to Pets,” “I Want to Open a Home Laundry Service” and “I’m Just Here for the Free Pizza.”

Landlords must be cautious when raising rent, terminating a tenancy or making other changes to rental agreements.

Letter from the Executive Director for August 2022: Session End

First Published July 28th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Our Letter from the Executive Director for August 2022 recaps a very busy July: The 192nd legislative session closed, PayPal blocked free rent payments and we contributed to three news stories.

Returning to In-Person Events: Headwinds and New Formats

Posted on July 27th, 2022 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Worcester event attendees sit gathered around tables of eight listening to a speaker at the front of the room. Dinner has been served.

MassLandlords in-person events will resume in different formats fall 2022. We will experiment to find new and economically sustainable routines.

The Power of Chapter 93A: An Airbnb Case Study Crossing State and National Borders

First Published July 26th, 2022 | Updated April 28th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A UK-style smoke detector base hangs from a ceiling by a live wire. There is no detector on the base.

A case study showing how a renter used Massachusetts General Law Chapter 93A to obtain a large settlement from Airbnb and an out-of-state landlord.

Deadly Fire Prompts City of Worcester to Propose Rental Property Registry and Inspection Ordinance

First Published July 25th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

This image is a partial screenshot of the meeting minutes from the Worcester City Council meeting on June 7, 2022. The snippet reads: 9.15, Department of Inspectional Services, Administration, Christopher P. Spencer, Commissioner. A. Recommend adoption of two ordinances regarding joint programs of the Fire Department and Department of Inspectional Services with regard to a Rental Registry Program. In green, the meeting minutes added after the meeting read: Mayor Petty read the item and moved to take the item up with item #20f CC. Mayor Petty recognized Councilor Russell, who spoke concerning the item. Mayor Petty moved to refer the items to Economic Development Committee. Referred to Economic Development Committee.

If the ordinances pass, landlords must register their properties and have regular inspections, or face hefty fines

Landlording by the Numbers August 2022

Posted on July 22nd, 2022 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Help! My Tenant Wants to Use My Rental for Their Business

First Published July 15th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 4 Comments

This is a cartoon image of a tan house with gray shutters sitting on a lawn. The roof of the house is coming off, and bubbles can be seen pouring out, down the side of the house, and onto the lawn, where a very dirty puppy sits happily, also covered in bubbles. A sign out front reads “Nancy’s Laundromat and Dog Grooming.”

Your tenant wants to sell something from their rental, run a daycare, start growing plants. Should you let them?