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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.

Is it Legal to Have Blocked Dates for Move-Outs in a Month-to-month Tenancy?

First Published August 24th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 1 Comment

This image is a photograph of a plowed residential street in the wintertime, with high snow banks on either side of the road and slush around the banks. Houses are covered in snow, and cars parked on the street are blocked in with plowed snow.

Landlords may not want tenants moving out in the winter, but can they restrict tenants at will from giving notice during certain months?

How to Avoid a Retaliation Complaint from Your Tenants

First Published August 9th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 3 Comments

This image is a cartoon drawing of a group of about 12 people standing on the street outside an apartment building. Two are holding a large banner that reads “Main Street Tenants Union.” Other people are holding smaller signs that read “Free Cable,” “Lower Rent,” “Vote for Me,” “Better Lease Terms,” “Yes to Pets,” “I Want to Open a Home Laundry Service” and “I’m Just Here for the Free Pizza.”

Landlords must be cautious when raising rent, terminating a tenancy or making other changes to rental agreements.

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?

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.

A Landlord’s Guide to Refugee Programs in Massachusetts

First Published June 21st, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023

This image shows the outline of the state of Massachusetts set against a solid blue background. Within the state’s borders, a collage of international flags cover the space.

What programs exist to help refugees seeking housing, and what you can do as a landlord to help recent immigrants

Matthew Desmond’s ‘Evicted’ 6 Years Later: Good Copy, But Does It Tell the Whole Story?

First Published May 26th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

This is a stylized image that has views of buildings and murals in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the background. An image of Desmond’s book cover, Evicted, is in the foreground. Superimposed over this are faded images of eviction notices and court records relevant to the book.

A snapshot of poverty in Milwaukee leaves out key details years later; may impact eviction legislation

A Landlord’s Guide to Rental Management and Hiring a Property Manager

First Published April 8th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 3 Comments

A family consisting of a husband, wife and young son, along with their dog, stand on a sidewalk next to a multi-story residential building which is cut off at the edge of the image. A cityscape with construction is in the background. A red sign in front of the building reads “For Rent, Bay State Management Co., 508-555-5555.”

How to research, vet and hire a rental manager or property management company

How to Avoid Housing Discrimination Based on Genetic Information

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

A white woman with light brown hair wearing a blue blazer and white shirt stands in front of a white two-story house on a green lawn. The house is covered in a pattern of a DNA double helix. The background of the image is also a muted blue and purple DNA double helix on a white background.

Though protections for genetic information primarily apply to employers, landlords must also be aware of the law.

How to Avoid Discriminating Against Someone Based on Ancestry

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

Is it Legal to Have Blocked Dates for Move-Outs in a Month-to-month Tenancy?

How to Avoid a Retaliation Complaint from Your Tenants

Help! My Tenant Wants to Use My Rental for Their Business

Landlords: Don’t Invest Your Security Deposits in Bitcoin

A Landlord’s Guide to Refugee Programs in Massachusetts

Matthew Desmond’s ‘Evicted’ 6 Years Later: Good Copy, But Does It Tell the Whole Story?

A Landlord’s Guide to Rental Management and Hiring a Property Manager

How to Avoid Housing Discrimination Based on Genetic Information

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