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A Plain-English Translation of Mass. Security Deposit Law – and Why Every Law Should be Written in Simple Language

Posted on August 30th, 2023 Posted in News - 1 Comment

Illustration of a computer screen with two web pages embedded, both from MassLandlords.net: one with the headline, “The Massachusetts Security Deposit Law, Explained,” and first paragraph of text; and two, a page showing a cut-out section of the security deposit law, on the left side, with a section, on the right, headlined, “What Does the Law Say About Handling Security Deposits?” and a paragraph of explanatory text.

It shouldn’t be this way, but our state’s poorly written security deposit law needs an explainer. So do many other laws.

A Landlord’s Guide to Using Artificial Intelligence for Rental Processes

Posted on August 29th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

an iPad sits on a wooden table surface. The image on the iPad shows an image generator on the right that says “create image.” The image to the left of the prompt shows a cartoon man in a business suit standing in an apartment. The man is very out of scale compared to the kitchen he is standing in. A much smaller cartoon woman holds an oversized dish towel in her hand. The image underneath the prompt is a photorealistic image of a woman and a man sitting very close together on a gray couch, smiling into the camera.

AI can be a useful tool for landlords, but could also land you in hot water with fair housing laws.

Gage Street Fire One Year Later: Worcester Denies Funding for New Build

Posted on August 28th, 2023 Posted in News - 1 Comment

A street view of an empty lot where construction has started: the existing building has been torn down and some wood framing for a new foundation is present. The lot is blocked off with a temporary black construction fence.

A 2022 fire at 2 Gage St. killed four; former residents of the property begged board members not to grant Affordable Housing Trust money for a new build.

Should Landlords Ban Vaping in Their Rental Units?

First Published June 27th, 2023 | Updated August 22nd, 2023 Posted in News - 3 Comments

Several nuggets of marijuana sit on a rough concrete surface. To the right is a gold and black oval vape pen half out of its box. The box states the pen contains a solution with “hemp plant extract.”

The law allows landlords to prohibit smoking of any kind, but where do weed and tobacco pens fall?

State Must Step Up: EPA Proposes New Lead Dust Limits Far Under Massachusetts Thresholds

Posted on August 21st, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A little girl, photographed in black and white from behind, stands looking out of a window with multiple panes.

The new proposed federal limits on lead dust are up to 10 times lower than what Massachusetts deleading laws currently allow.

Outcomes for November 2021

Posted on August 16th, 2023

Massachusetts Eviction Data and Housing Court Statistics: Outcomes for November 2021 filings

Filings Month Ending 2023 July 31

Posted on August 16th, 2023

Massachusetts Eviction Data and Housing Court Statistics: Filings Month Ending 2023 July 31

Landlording by the Numbers August 2023

First Published July 31st, 2023 | Updated August 1st, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

As sea level rise increases, hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts properties will be damaged and reduced in value in coming years. Numbers tell the story.

Letter from the Executive Director for August 2023: Foundations Shored Up

First Published July 29th, 2023 | Updated August 1st, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Our Letter from the Executive Director for August 2023 details some improvements to our website infrastructure and our governance.

How to Wisely and Securely Take Time Away from Your Rental Business

Posted on July 28th, 2023 Posted in News - 3 Comments

photo of a person sitting in a beach chair holding a pink cocktail in a martini glass with a lime wedged on the rim and a tiny pink umbrella. A blurred beach and ocean in the background.

Getting a refreshing break as a landlord is a matter of taking the time and forethought to put necessary parts in place in your absence.

A Plain-English Translation of Mass. Security Deposit Law – and Why Every Law Should be Written in Simple Language

A Landlord’s Guide to Using Artificial Intelligence for Rental Processes

Gage Street Fire One Year Later: Worcester Denies Funding for New Build

Should Landlords Ban Vaping in Their Rental Units?

State Must Step Up: EPA Proposes New Lead Dust Limits Far Under Massachusetts Thresholds

Outcomes for November 2021

Filings Month Ending 2023 July 31

Landlording by the Numbers August 2023

Letter from the Executive Director for August 2023: Foundations Shored Up

How to Wisely and Securely Take Time Away from Your Rental Business

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