News Archives - Page 26 of 99 - MassLandlords.net

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.

Letter from the Executive Director for April 2023: Rent Control Advanced by Boston City Council

Posted on April 3rd, 2023 Posted in News - 3 Comments

Our Letter from the Executive Director for April 2023 looks back on lots of rent control activity in March, and a little bit of better rental housing in spite of it.

New! MassLandlords Announces the Rent Remote Control™ for Renters

Posted on April 1st, 2023 Posted in News - 4 Comments

Set your own rent increase by pressing up or down buttons. Runs on petty rent boards inserted in the bottom. Features a power-saving evictions on/off switch.

MassLandlords is delighted to announce the newly available Rent Remote Control™ designed to help renters navigate housing shortages and the failure of rental assistance.

Dacey v. Burgess: Court-Appointed Mediation is Legally Binding

First Published March 31st, 2023 | Updated April 11th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

This is a close-up photograph of two people working side by side at a conference table. A laptop is open in front of each person, with some paper in between. We can see both sets of hands and writing on the paper.

The Supreme Judicial Court ruled that summary process action is not necessary to remove a renter if a voluntary agreement to vacate has been reached in mediation.

Martin Green vs. the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination: A Cautionary Tale for Landlords

First Published March 30th, 2023 | Updated August 30th, 2024 Posted in News - 0 Comments

This is a composite image of three separate news headlines set against a grainy blue background. The headlines read, from top to bottom: “State commission takes years to resolve discrimination cases. One took 17. Another took 15.”, “MCAD Denies Parting Ways Appeal” and “Worcester settles decades old lawsuit alleging racial bias in police department’s promotion practices for $1.5 million.”

The MCAD is committed to fighting discriminatory practices in Massachusetts, but one landlord alleges the deck is stacked against respondents.

Always Check for Abandoned Animals After a Unit is Vacated

First Published March 28th, 2023 | Updated April 12th, 2023 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A young brown tabby cat steps onto a windowsill. Dappled trees can be seen outside.

Massachusetts law requires housing providers to make sure no one is left behind after a move-out, eviction or abandonment.