News

In June everything moved forward consistent with our strategy and member wishes, as fast as resources allow. We are responding to the eviction moratorium by working towards a Fair and Equal Housing Guarantee via Surety Bonds. It bears repeating that MassLandlords staff operate under the elected Board of Directors, who…

By Kimberly Rau, MassLandlords writer Landlords may wonder whether renting an apartment to someone with a criminal history is a good idea, or on the other hand, whether it is legal to decline such an application. Is it legal to deny a rental to someone who has been arrested? What…

By Kimberly Rau, MassLandlords Writer Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota has put a bill together that calls for a ban on rent and mortgage payments while America attempts to get back on its feet amid an ongoing health crisis. Called the Emergency Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Legislation, Rep. Omar’s bill…

By Kimberly Rau, MassLandlords Writer Requesting proof of income is a standard step in the tenant screening process, and with good reason. Landlords need to feel confident that their renters will be able to pay the rent on time for the duration of their lease. However, creating a fake pay…

By Eric Weld, MassLandlords, Inc. It’s difficult to say what the college student rental market will look like come September. The uncertainty of the upcoming academic year, due to the coronavirus pandemic and response, will put more importance on screening college students. It will also emphasize the need for strong…

To properly implement a statewide surety on rental housing, between $500 million and $2 billion need to be available over the next ten years. Although potentially an eye-popping sum, this funding can come in a way that does not stress short-term budgets and which will simultaneously solve the long-term housing…

By Peter Vickery, Esq., Legislative Affairs Counsel In March, Congress enacted the CARES Act, which established an eviction moratorium that is set to expire on July 25 and covers about one-third of the country’s rental housing. In May, the House of Representatives voted in favor of a bill titled the…

Peter Vickery, Esq. Legislative Affairs Counsel Before even thinking about extending the eviction moratorium, Governor Charlie Baker should talk to Branch Yules. “I had five low-income rooms available for rent in April and I decided to not rent them out,” said Branch, whose company, Lilien Realty, LLC, owns hundreds of…

MassLandlords launched a new rent collection survey of members and non-members. The survey shows an average default rate of 19% unpaid rent. The impact of the moratorium is landing unevenly hard on some landlords, with 6% of those surveyed collecting no rent in May. The rate of other vacancy (not…