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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.

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

Boston’s Lack of Transparency Weakens the Democratic Process

First Published May 16th, 2022 | Updated April 13th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A view of the corner of Boston City Hall, shot from below. A series of recent headlines about the city’s various legal battles is superimposed over the photograph of the building.

A recent SCOTUS decision and actions at the Rent Stabilization Advisory Committee sheds light on uneven practices; public records requests show transparency is not a strong suit for the city.

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

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?

Boston’s Lack of Transparency Weakens the Democratic Process

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