A common problem for landlords is abandoned tenant property. When a tenant leaves an apartment, what should the landlord do about any property left behind? If the landlord is certain that the tenant has completely moved out of the apartment, the more »
Raising rent is always a contentious issue among Massachusetts landlords and tenants. I often get asked, are raises in rent allowed? The answer depends upon the rental agreement between the parties: whether there is a lease or tenancy-at-will. A lease is more »
Last week, I settled a highly contentious landlord/tenant dispute. Neither side like each other, and both seemed glad to have the matter over. I represented the landlord, and was able to negotiate a move-out of the tenants in exchange for more »
The Supreme Judicial Court will be hearing an appeal on a matter of great importance for Massachusetts landlord/tenant law: whether the failure to comply with the state’s security deposit law is a defense to an eviction (“summary process”). The case more »
A party who receives an unfavorable decision in a Massachusetts eviction case has the option of appealing. In an appeal, the party asks the appellate court to review the decisions made by the trial court and decide if they were more »
I was recently forwarded the research graphic below detailing the current state of renting in the United States today. There is no doubt that housing will continue to be a major domestic issue for our country for years to come and more »
Remember the I-93 protest that happened earlier this year? I sure do. I was on the way to court and, thanks to the protesters, came minutes away from missing my hearing. Thousands of Massachusetts residents were impacted by more »
This Saturday, I’ll be riding in the Rodman Ride for Kids for Italian Home for Children, a great Boston nonprofit. The Italian Home for Children “provides progressive and therapeutic programs to help children, adults, and families with emotional, behavioral, and educational more »
Massachusetts has a little-known provision available for those over 65 years old involved in a civil lawsuit: the right to a speedy trial. G.L. c. 231, § 59F provides: In any civil action in any court of the commonwealth in more »
