An Open Letter to Boston City Council on Just Cause Eviction
MassLandlords.net
51 Union St., Ste 220
Worcester, MA 01608
2016 March 9
Boston City Council
1 City Hall Square Suite 550
Boston, MA 02201-2043
Dear Councilor:
I’m writing on behalf of our Boston members to express concern with the proposed “Just Cause Eviction” idea to be heard Monday, March 14. (We represent over 1,100 landlording businesses state-wide, of whom 91 reside and operate in the City of Boston.)
Just Cause Eviction is favored by certain tenant advocates who fear market forces, gentrification and displacement. They state that Just Cause Eviction would be a collaborative mediation process.
Actually, in discussing and preparing the idea, its supporters did not seek to collaborate with us. We believe that their one-sided approach misses two key points:
- Just Cause Eviction is effectively rent control with some of the same economic consequences, and
- The courts already offer a better kind of mediation than what “Just Cause Eviction” could enact.
We recommend all our members take advantage of court mediation, and have for years.
We would welcome alternative approaches to gentrification that would be truly collaborative in nature, such as landlord incentives or zoning reform. We urge you not to pursue Just Cause Eviction for the City of Boston.
Sincerely,
Douglas Quattrochi
Executive Director
