By Kimberly Rau, MassLandlords Writer Rent control is a hot-button issue for many landlords and tenants, especially in big cities, where the cost of living can be very high. That won’t be new information for Massachusetts landlords: Earlier this year, boston.com reported that Boston ranks as the third-most expensive city…

By Kimberly Rau, MassLandlords Writer Landlords, take note: Changes are coming to 105 CMR 410 the Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation, e.g., the state sanitary code. These pending revisions follow a round of public commentary this September, and some could have a major impact on rental property owners…

This month I’ll review 2019 and look ahead at what we hope lies in store for 2020. In 2019, MassLandlords membership reached an all-time high of 1,662 members state-wide, up 18% from a year ago. At time of writing, with the December books not yet closed, it looked like revenue…

In December, MassLandlords members voted in our annual business meeting on the next director to succeed Joyce Nierodzinski on our five member volunteer board. We met our quorum target of 339, with 368 members participating either online or at a physical meeting, including abstentions. Michele Kasabula’s total score was 690,…

By Kimberly Rau, MassLandlords Writer Homeless shelters in Massachusetts are concerned about some of the proposed changes to 105 CMR 410: Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation, otherwise known as the state sanitary code, including additions that would require more space between beds and blankets be laundered between each…

By Eric Weld, MassLandlords, Inc. What began as a hacker challenge in Louisville, Ky., in 2015 resulted in the CASPER, a device that may become the answer to making vacant and unused buildings and homes in urban areas safer for those who live near them. The CASPER, or Completely Autonomous…

By Eric Weld, MassLandlords, Inc. Construction slated to begin around the start of the new year on a historic building at Court Square in downtown Springfield will provide city residents with more than 70 new apartments at a prime location. The Springfield Redevelopment Authority (SRA), which owns the long-vacant office…

This month I’ll share updates on certification, our annual business meeting and elections, and some meetings I’ve had to discuss policy in Boston. First, note that our first-in-the-nation Massachusetts-specific certification program is now live. Any member can become a Certified Massachusetts Landlord™ by logging in at MassLandlords.net/certification and agreeing to…