News Archives - Page 4 of 94 - MassLandlords.net

Can Landlords Charge Move-Out and Item Removal Fees in Massachusetts?

Posted on July 29th, 2025 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A residential garage space is full of old furniture and some tools and other items. A green lawn chair sits front and center in front of an old desk or workbench.

Billing your former tenants for trash removal, abandoned items or other move-out costs may be lawful, but use caution.

Avoid Court and Costly Legal Fees with the MassLandlords Helpline aka Hotline or Mediation Service

Posted on July 29th, 2025 Posted in News - 0 Comments

An old fashioned red cat clock sits on a beige wall. Blue Post-It notes surround the cat with statements such as “Security Deposit Violation” and “ESA?” in block letters, representing landlord concerns.

This member benefit acts as a hotline that can offer business advice to help you mediate with tenants, avoid court, and make better use of expensive attorneys.

Letter from the Executive Director for August 2025: Politics, Ugh

Posted on July 29th, 2025 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Our Letter from the Executive Director for August 2025 looks at changes happening legislatively.

Rent Control Hearing Tuesday, July 29 (194 S.1447 Jehlen, Gomez)

First Published July 28th, 2025 | Updated August 27th, 2025 Posted in News - 8 Comments

Landlord Donna Javorski cries before the rent control board as her husband Emil tries to comfort her.

Rent control as proposed by Senator Patricia Jehlen would defund towns, hurt good renters, hurt good landlords, decrease property maintenance and be cruel.

“Broker Fee Ban” Signed into Law via Budget; Zillow Application Fees Apparently Banned

First Published July 16th, 2025 | Updated September 30th, 2025 Posted in News - 0 Comments

FY 2026 Budget Conference Committee. About this step. The House and Senate appoint three members each to a "Conference Committee" to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate proposals. One member of the minority party must be appointed by each branch. The Conference Committee reports a final compromise bill to the House and Senate for a final vote of acceptance in each branch. Conference Report H.4240 Download PDF.

The Massachusetts Fiscal Year 2026 budget enacted a new change to broker fees for rental housing, sometimes called a broker fee ban. We review it and answer frequently asked questions.

Housing Court Standing Order 1-23 Being Enforced: Separate Piece of Paper for Each Occupant at Tier 1

Posted on June 30th, 2025 Posted in News - 0 Comments

Mass.gov. Legal & Justice. Massachusetts rules of court and standing orders. Massachusetts Housing Court Standing Orders. Offered by Housing Court. Massachusetts Court System. This is a part of Massachusetts Housing Court Standing Orders. Housing Court Rules. Standing Orders. Interim Housing Court Standing Order 1-23: Continuation of temporary modifications to court operations. Adopted Date: 04/03/2023. Effective Date: 06/05/2023. Referenced Sources: MGL c. 211B, Section 10. MGL c. 185C, Section 8a. Issued April 3, 2023, effective June 5, 2023.

Make sure you are serving the Tier 1 eviction notice multiple times, once for each occupant.

If You Own or Are Thinking About Buying Mass. Coastal Property, Learn About Flood Risk, AMOC and Other Factors

First Published June 25th, 2025 | Updated November 18th, 2025 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A dark room with blue lights frames a screen showing the title screen of Inundation District. The tagline is, ‘In a time of rising tides and intensifying storms, what happens when a vulnerable city builds by the sea? Its new Innovation District becomes one of the worlds’ most imperiled neighborhoods, known as the Inundation District.” A film by David Abel, Ted Blanco. The film has been nominated for or won seven awards, the emblems of which are not all legible, including the Woods Hole Film Festival.

Investors and residents of coastal Massachusetts communities are buying into a smorgasbord of risks due to AMOC collapse. Updated to link to study showing AMOC collapse possible even with low-emissions.

Now May be the Ideal Time to Convert to Heat Pump Water Heaters in Your Homes and Owner-Occupied Rentals

Posted on June 25th, 2025 Posted in News - 0 Comments

a composite of three photos: 1) a washing machine; 2) a pot with boiling water; 3) a running kitchen faucet.

Is your water heater showing signs of aging? Take advantage of financial incentives while they’re available and replace it with a heat pump model.

Home Depot Savings Can Cover Your Membership Dues

First Published June 25th, 2025 | Updated September 29th, 2025 Posted in News - 0 Comments

a photo of the interior of a Home Depot store. Shelves of lumber are visible in the foreground, with signs indicating other departments going down the aisle. A person in jeans and a sweatshirt facing away from the camera walks down the main aisle.

The Home Depot Pro Xtra membership perk allows MassLandlords members to save money on everything from paint to appliances.

The Top 5 Things You Need to Know as a Massachusetts Landlord in 2025

First Published June 25th, 2025 | Updated July 30th, 2025 Posted in News - 0 Comments

A cartoon-style blue triple-decker home sits on top of a stack of two books, a green one on top, and a brown one underneath. A pencil leans against the house, its point resting on the top of the green book.

From tenant screening and eviction sealing to energy efficiency, here’s what you need to know to stay up-to-date as a rental housing provider in Massachusetts.