Better Communities. Better Policy. Better Lives.
The largest non-profit for owners and managers of Massachusetts residential real estate.
Posted in laws, policy - 67 Comments
On April 20, 2020 the Governor signed into law 191-H.4647, “An Act providing for a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the COVID-19 Emergency.” This bill took effect immediately. This article reviews the law from the point of view of a landlord and gives a roadmap for Massachusetts owners and…
Read More »Posted in laws, News, policy - 10 Comments
The call to action below was emailed to subscribers the morning of Thursday, April 16. Today we need you to call the Governor and/or your Governor’s councilor. An eviction moratorium was reconciled late Wednesday and is expected to head to the Governor’s office soon to become law as early as…
Read More »Posted in evictions, laws, News - 0 Comments
The Jim Brooks Stabilization Act, H.4142, has been sent to study for this legislative session. The act sought to change state law on summary process (evictions) within the City of Boston. The act would have set precedent state-wide. Motivation for the Act Advocates for the act described it as a…
Read More »Posted in laws, News - 0 Comments
On April 10, the Worcester City Council forwarded a moratorium on the “four or more” rule concerning unrelated residents to the Economic Development Subcommittee. This is generally viewed as a favorable step towards reform. The “four or more” rule prohibits four or more unrelated occupants from cohabiting unless the premises…
Read More »Posted in laws - 3 Comments
By Peter Vickery, Legislative Affairs Counsel, Staff Journalist Heavy snowfall across Massachusetts these past few months has kept property owners busy shoveling, plowing, and de-icing. Under the State Sanitary Code, owners are responsible for keeping all means of egress, exterior stairways, fire escapes, balconies, and bridges free of snow and…
Read More »Posted in buildings, laws - 0 Comments
The question of whether a landlord can prohibit satellite dishes has come up several times in the last year: in private correspondence, at two events, and in last month’s review of LegalZoom. On July 6, 2017, MassLandlords received a pleasant but unsolicited communication from Steve Hill, President of the Satellite…
Read More »Posted in buildings, laws, News, policy - 0 Comments
Attorney Robert Brown invited MassLandlords to participate in stakeholder meetings about MGL Chapter 21 Section 67, which mandates that MassDEP should issue new regulations requiring sprinklers and more to be shut off when it’s raining. MassDEP is looking for input on how to define “newly installed” and “renovated” irrigation systems;…
Read More »Posted in laws, News - 11 Comments
Application fees are one of those areas where inexperienced landlords follow common sense instead of the law, and pay penalties as a result. 254 The law for property owners and managers is clear. It states that prior to the beginning of a tenancy, no lessor may require payment for anything…
Read More »Posted in laws, News - 0 Comments
Judge Robert Fields, Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Housing Court, Western Division, presented to the Rental Housing Association of Greater Springfield on Thursday, December 14. Associate Justice Robert Fields of the Western Division Housing Court discussed rent escrow and other topics in Longmeadow in December. Judge Fields was joined by…
Read More »Posted in forms, laws - 0 Comments
Guest Article by Doug Quattrochi in his capacity as Private Landlord Is the LegalZoom lease for Massachusetts any good? An in-depth review of LegalZoom and its lease for Massachusetts rental property. Is the LegalZoom lease for Massachusetts any good? What would a LegalZoom review say? I paid for the $29…
Read More »