Blog - Archived - Page 34 of 116

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?

Somerville Ends Eviction Moratorium; Sets Rules for Tenancy Rights Notifications

First Published July 14th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A view of the Somerville City Hall, a multi-story brick building with white trim and a clock tower

Amendments to the city’s Housing Stability Notification Act go into effect July 13, 2022; eviction moratorium ends June 30.

Landlording by the Numbers July 2022

Posted on July 5th, 2022 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Should You 1099-MISC a “Cash for Keys”?

First Published July 3rd, 2022 | Updated July 15th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Is owed rent being forgiven without a cash payment? If so, you have the option to issue 1099-C. If not, then will the relocation payment be less than rents received? If so, then you have the option either to refund rent or issue 1099-MISC. If not, then you must issue 1099-MISC for the excess over refunded rent.

Should you issue an IRS form 1099 for a cash for keys relocation payment to help a renter find more suitable housing?

Senate Bill 192 S2944 would Reform Civil Asset Forfeiture in Massachusetts

First Published July 1st, 2022 | Updated July 15th, 2024 Posted in News, policy - 0 Comments

A sheriff stands atop a small home holding a sign that reads “mine.”

Civil asset forfeiture in Massachusetts is currently the easiest way in the United States for an innocent property owner to lose their property. Senate bill S2944 would reform the process.

Letter from the Executive Director for July 2022

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

Our Letter from the Executive Director for July 2022 recaps the changes that June brought to the fore, including record inflation and a big interest rate increase. This spells trouble for those of us who oppose rent control.

Landlords: Don’t Invest Your Security Deposits in Bitcoin

First Published June 30th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 1 Comment

This image is of a graph showing Bitcoin’s value fluctuation over one day. The trademark symbol for Bitcoin is superimposed over the graph.

A Massachusetts landlord reportedly invested a security deposit in cryptocurrency and tried to pass the loss on to their tenant.

Help Your Clients and Friends Save and Grow Their Business with Free MassLandlords Educational Literature

First Published June 27th, 2022 | Updated May 5th, 2026 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A cartoon drawing of three people in an office setting happily sharing and looking over MassLandlords promotional postcards and brochures.

Share the message of MassLandlords benefits with your clients and friends by ordering your own set of MassLandlords flyers and marketing materials today.

Trespasser or Tenant? Superior Court Case Helps Define the Difference

First Published June 24th, 2022 | Updated April 20th, 2023 Posted in News - 2 Comments

The street view of 66 Laurel Dr, Brookline shows a masonry and wrought iron gate leading to cobblestone driveway and brick mansion beyond. Oak leaves litter the ground in fall.

MassLandlords submitted an amicus brief for the case Slavin V. Lewis in the interest of protecting landlords from Ch. 93A vulnerability.

DHCD’s Motion to Dismiss Taken Under Advisement

First Published June 16th, 2022 | Updated July 15th, 2024 Posted in News - 3 Comments

The John Adams Courthouse is an imposing masonry edifice in pedestrian-only Pemberton Square, the seat of judicial power in the Commonwealth and close to state administrative offices. The fact that it is only four stories belies the building’s height: each story has twenty-foot ceilings for lobbies and court rooms.

The state’s Department of Housing and Community Development attempted to have MassLandlords’ lawsuit for missing RAFT records dismissed, but was not immediately successful.