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Freakonomics Looks at the Problem of Rent Control

First Published January 24th, 2020 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Rent control in major cities is a big problem with a complex solution

Can a Landlord Put Professional Cleaning Fees in a Lease?

First Published February 6th, 2023 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 11 Comments

This photograph shows an empty room with a beige carpet and white walls and ceiling. One wall has a window with blinds that are partially open, the wall opposite it appears to have a mirrored closet door.

Security deposit law says you cannot deduct from the security deposit for reasonable wear and tear, but can you charge your tenants for cleaning after they move out?

New Proposed Sanitary Code Changes Include Fridges, Mold Control

First Published January 9th, 2020 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Proposed changes to the state sanitary code could impact landlords across Massachusetts.

Changes to Sanitary Code ask Homeless Shelters to Wash Blankets, Increase Sleeping Space

First Published January 7th, 2020 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Proposed changes to the state sanitary code would bring shelters closer to private housing, viewed as big hurdles.

Should I Have My Rental’s Common Areas on Their Own Electric Meter?

First Published July 7th, 2021 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 5 Comments

While legal under certain circumstances, having adjacent units pay for common-area electricity can cause headaches for landlords

5 Eviction Myths in Massachusetts

First Published August 13th, 2019 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 3 Comments

Learn these five Massachusetts eviction myths and understand why the housing crisis is not being solved by current proposals.

Davis v Comerford

First Published May 10th, 2019 | Updated April 13th, 2023

The SJC case Davis v Comerford decides whether Massachusetts courts have the authority to escrow rent in landlord tenant disputes.

Worcester Breaks Ground on Housing for Those Experiencing Homelessness

First Published September 22nd, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

This image is an architect’s rendering of a three-story blue housing complex with white roof. The residence has many windows and a covered front porch area. In front of the unit is a parking lot, in the background are many mature trees, a gazebo to the right of the building and a place to store bicycles, with two bikes visible in front of the gazebo. Two vehicles are parked in parking spaces, and a man in a suit walks toward the front door.

A Place to Live will have 24 studio micro units available on a sliding scale to people who are unhoused.

How to Avoid Discriminating Against Someone Based on Ancestry

First Published September 21st, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

This image is a drawing of the outline of the state of Massachusetts, with colored-in areas representing the approximate places where different Indigenous or Native American tribes lived. Moving left to right across the state, the Mohican area is colored light red, then the Abenaki tribe in blue sits above the Pocumtuc tribal area, which is yellow. Next comes the Nipmuc land in green, and the Wampanoag tribe covering most of the right side of the state in light orange. A tiny area at the top of the state in light blue represents the area occupied by the Pennacook tribe.

Housing discrimination based on someone’s ancestry, similar to their national origin, is illegal under the Fair Housing Act.

Massachusetts Signs CROWN Act Into Law – Discrimination Based on Protective Hairstyles Now Illegal

First Published September 12th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

This image is a cartoon drawing of a young Black woman wearing a purple and gold superhero outfit with golden yellow cape and boots. She holds a yellow semi-circle shield up in one hand, which is deflecting many comments in text bubbles that are flying at her. The bubbles read “Is that your real hair?”, “My hair would never do that”, “Isn’t that a lot of work?”, “How much did that cost?”, “Why don’t you get it straightened?” and “Your hair looks so soft. Can I touch it?” She smiles at her successful deflection of these questions, now unlawful under the CROWN Act.

The law prohibits employers and schools from banning protective hairstyles, but has discrimination implications for housing providers as well.

Freakonomics Looks at the Problem of Rent Control

Can a Landlord Put Professional Cleaning Fees in a Lease?

New Proposed Sanitary Code Changes Include Fridges, Mold Control

Changes to Sanitary Code ask Homeless Shelters to Wash Blankets, Increase Sleeping Space

Should I Have My Rental’s Common Areas on Their Own Electric Meter?

5 Eviction Myths in Massachusetts

Davis v Comerford

Worcester Breaks Ground on Housing for Those Experiencing Homelessness

How to Avoid Discriminating Against Someone Based on Ancestry

Massachusetts Signs CROWN Act Into Law – Discrimination Based on Protective Hairstyles Now Illegal

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