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RentControlHistory.com – A Comprehensive Pictorial History of Rent Control

First Published February 1st, 2024 | Updated February 7th, 2024 Posted in News - 1 Comment

Judge Ruth Abrams wears old fashioned cravat and jacket with a bowl haircut. Prince Frederik wears a suit, tie and gold wedding band, and moustache and goatee. Ken Reeves wears glasses and a suit and stands in front of protestor signs as he talks with protestors.

A comprehensive overview of rent control’s origins and evolution in Massachusetts.

Executive Director to Speak at Fair Housing Conference April 11

Posted on January 30th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

An iPad sits on a desk showing the Fair Housing and Civil Rights Conference 2024 homepage. 18 years of promoting fair housing and civil rights. 20+ essential workshops. Over 7,000 participants over 18 years.

The 2024 Fair Housing and Civil Rights Conference covers housing first, homelessness, fair housing and more. Hundreds of attendees from around the country are expected.

MassLandlords Files Testimony Opposed to Affordable Homes Act, Housing Bond Bill, Eviction Sealing

First Published January 26th, 2024 | Updated December 5th, 2024 Posted in News - 1 Comment

Coversheet for MassLandlords testimony opposed to The Affordable Homes Act aka Housing Bond Bill November 18, 2024. In particular, its eviction sealing provisions.

Our 19 pages of testimony focuses on Housing Court being already overworked and underfunded, and on the complexity involved in sealing eviction records.

Landlords in Profile: Erin Zamarro

Posted on January 5th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Erin Zamarro, a real estate broker and rental property owner in Worcester, was elected to the MassLandlords Board of Directors in December.

MassLandlords Annual Election Results 2023

Posted on January 4th, 2024 Posted in News - 1 Comment

Board of Directors graph. Whiskers cover 82%. Box covers ~50% unless touching 0 or 5, in which case median line to edge is at least 50%. X is mean. Dots are response cluster outliers. Erin's box ranges from 4 to 5 and Dave's from 3 to 4, indicating stronger support for Erin.

The 2023 election resulted in Erin Zamarro becoming director, bylaws changes being adopted and Director Sullivan being removed. This article covers who won the 2023 election, who ran, and how you can get involved for next time.

Letter from the Executive Director for January 2024: RentControlHistory.com

Posted on January 3rd, 2024 Posted in News - 2 Comments

Our Letter from the Executive Director for January 2024 covers two public records issues, some worthwhile events and the launch of our new website.

HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents Now Represent 45% of Participants

Posted on December 28th, 2023 Posted in News - 2 Comments

A chart from the Department of Housing and Urban Development outlines the various small area fair market rents for some of the zip codes in Worcester county. The lowest rent is an efficiency in the zip code 01010, at $850 a month. The highest rent is a four-bedroom house in the zip code 01430, at $3550 a month. The chart is superimposed over a solid-colored image of the state of Massachusetts.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has increased the number of zip codes required to use SAFMRs, allowing 800,000 households greater access to housing choice.

Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) asked to Hear Public Records Case

First Published December 27th, 2023 | Updated July 15th, 2024 Posted in News - 2 Comments

A mac computer shows an email from SJC Full Court Clerk sent Monday December 18, 2023 at 4:00 pm to peter. Subject FAR-29614 Notice of Entry. The email body states simply that the SJC recognizes application in the matter of MassLandlords, Inc. vs. the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Suffolk Superior Court No. 2184CV02866 appeals court 2022-P-1211.

In MassLandlords vs. EOHLC we are attempting to understand how tens of thousands of applications for rental assistance were timed out. We intend to shore up the safety net for current and future applicants.

Do You Own Some Small, Unbuildable, Taxable, Urban Land?

First Published December 22nd, 2023 | Updated March 14th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

photo of an urban vacant lot covered in a pile of gravel and large rocks, across the street from multifamily houses.

Imagine a piece of your idle, unbuildable land becoming a tax-free thriving mid-city forest providing clean air, greenery and improved aesthetic for an urban community.

Aroma Diffusers Could Be Causing Air Quality and Nuisance Alarm Issues

Posted on December 15th, 2023 Posted in News - 2 Comments

Air quality monitors pick up on particulate in the air, and this handheld one was quick to detect a high reading from the aroma diffuser on the night table just a couple of feet away.

Aroma diffusers, also called essential oil diffusers, could be causing problems in your rental units.