Massachusetts’s highest court will be issuing a decision in the coming months on an important (and unclear) matter of importance for landlord-tenant law: collecting rent during an eviction. Namely, the court will decide if, during an eviction proceeding, a court more »
Most people familiar with Massachusetts landlord-tenant law know the two most common types of tenancy agreements: a tenancy by lease, where the parties agree to a fixed term for the length of the tenancy, and a tenancy at will, where more »
This will be a three part blog series on the requirements for obtaining a variance in Massachusetts. This first post concerns the first (and often most consequential) variance criterion: a showing that the property has unique conditions. Overview of Variances more »
Massachusetts heavily regulates security deposits for residential tenancies. The law covers nearly every aspect of the acceptance, holding, and return of a security deposit. Security deposit violations can occur in many ways. The penalties for not complying with this law more »
Being a Massachusetts landlord isn’t easy. Our state has extensive regulations on the landlord-tenant relationship, and many laws in favor of tenants. Here, I want to share three tips for Massachusetts landlords that can help avoid legal problems down the more »
This Wednesday, I will be moderating a panel at the Boston Bar Association on Massachusetts’s security deposit law. Most people, especially landlords, are often surprised at how something as mundane as a security deposit law can be so complex and more »
A recent, horrific story from Everett is a good reminder of the importance of knowing (and following) the Massachusetts state sanitary code. This article discusses how two Everett landlords had fifty-nine code violations in their residential apartments, with over nineteen more »
The Supreme Judicial Court issued an important decision this week clarifying the notice to quit requirement for Massachusetts evictions. The decision, Cambridge Street Realty v. Stewart, is included below. Cambridge Street Realty concerns several legal issues that are of importance more »
