News Archives - Page 20 of 94 - MassLandlords.net

Should You Take Last Month’s Rent at Lease Signing?

First Published May 26th, 2023 | Updated October 30th, 2025 Posted in News - 2 Comments

This is a close up of two people in dress shirts shaking hands in an office setting. The person on the left wears a blue dress shirt, the one on the right wears a white dress shirt. Their hands take up most of the image.

The law entitles landlords to collect the last month’s rent when a new tenancy begins, but should you? If you do, what rules must you follow?

Eviction Sealing Hearing Held May 9 at State House

First Published May 25th, 2023 | Updated December 5th, 2024 Posted in News - 2 Comments

A view from the State Housing hearing camera looks down on a packed hearing room with thin commercial carpet, wood table and four chairs for testimony. Two chairs are occupied, at left by Senator Edwards in a sleeveless dress and at right by Greg Vasil in a suit with bow tie. Behind them are four rows of benches full of people waiting to speak and a line of people standing at the back of the room.

Find out what happened at the State House hearing on eviction sealing held May 9, 2023.

Can Landlords Refuse Cash and Require Check or Electronic Rent Payments?

Posted on May 16th, 2023 Posted in News - 4 Comments

A black leather wallet is open against a pale blue background. Multiple hundred dollar bills are peeking over the edge of the section of the wallet designed to hold cash.

Massachusetts law says retail establishments cannot refuse to take cash, but can landlords require other methods of payment?

Massachusetts’ Open Meeting Law Does Not Apply to State Legislature

Posted on May 4th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

This is a cartoon image of a person seated at a computer desk, as seen from behind. They sit in front of a large computer monitor with an image of a state capitol building on the screen. Surrounding the screen are images of paper that are colored green or brown and say either “Approved” or “Proposed.”

Nearly all states make their House and Senate subject to open meeting laws. Massachusetts is among the few that refuses that level of transparency.

Letter from the Executive Director for May 2023: Lots of Policy Work

Posted on May 1st, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Our Letter from the Executive Director for May 2023 reminds us of the new sanitary code and looks at policy and operational developments from April.

Summary Process Duration Tripled Under FY2024 Budget Proposal

First Published April 27th, 2023 | Updated June 6th, 2023 Posted in News - 4 Comments

A graph shows days duration from 0 to 500 across time from April 2019 through August 2021. The mean, median and 95th percentile summary process case are all three times longer than before the pandemic.

Chapter 257 of the Acts of 2020 tripled summary process duration while we waited for rental assistance. Now the legislature aims to bring it back.

HUD: Tenants with Non-traditional Support Animals Must Demonstrate Need

Posted on April 27th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

This is a collage image of four animals against a solid light blue background. Clockwise from left: A ball python, a peacock, a rooster and a Highland cow.

Animals such as cats, dogs and rabbits must be accepted as support animals, but landlords need not allow more exotic animals without cause.

Can You Refuse to Allow Pit Bulls in Your Rental Units?

Posted on April 26th, 2023 Posted in News - 1 Comment

A brownish gray young pit bull terrier with white chest and stripe on its nose sits in a bed of grass and pink flowers. The dog is on a leash.

Massachusetts municipalities are not allowed to put bans on specific dog breeds like pit bulls, but landlords may still have breed restrictions.

Remind Your Renters about Summer Fire Safety

Posted on April 25th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A fire fighter investigates the base of a building with vinyl siding melted and warped by fire.

There’s never a good time for a fire. Each summer we remind readers to talk to your renters about fire prevention.

Can a Triple-Decker be Retrofitted for Geothermal Heating and Cooling?

Posted on April 21st, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

exterior photo of a gray-painted triple-decker house in Worcester.

Massachusetts has 25,000+ triple-deckers. We seek your thoughts on affordable ways to convert these historic-but-inefficient residences for geothermal energy.