Rent escrow refers to the holding of rent money while a legal matter is ongoing. The questions most commonly asked about rent escrow in Massachusetts are when, and how, it is allowed. Rent Escrow Before An Eviction Case Without a more »
The Massachusetts Appeals Court issued an important decision this week on eviction mistakes arising from the untimely filing of court documents. The full decision is below. Evictions 101 Evictions, known in Massachusetts as “summary process” cases, are done to obtain more »
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the judicial process in Massachusetts, cases are still going forward. I’m pleased to write that I obtained two favorable decisions for Consumer Protection Law cases: one in state court and the other in federal more »
An important tool exists for landlord-tenant screening, one that is completely free and easy to use. All of Massachusetts’s trial court dockets are online, providing both tenants and landlords with the ability to see filed eviction cases across the state. more »
Fall has been busy for me, but in a good way: I’m pleased to write that I won a landlord-tenant jury trial last week in the Housing Court! The case has some important implications for those involved in landlord-tenant disputes. more »
This week, I obtained a successful judgment on behalf of several tenants against their landlord for a breach of a lease. This is an important topic for landlords and tenants that I want to discuss here. What is a Lease? more »
The Appeals Court issued an important decision this week about the Consumer Protection Law (commonly known as “Chapter 93A”, in reference to its location in the state law) and its potential application for landlords and tenants. The decision, Exhibit Source, Inc. more »
It is not uncommon for Massachusetts landlords to accept security deposits from tenants. In doing so, many make mistakes in complying with Massachusetts’s security deposit law; arguably one of the most complex and detailed laws in the state. This law more »
A recent article from the Boston Globe, “Apartment management won’t return security deposit? That’s just one problem at this Revere complex,” highlights the importance of understanding Massachusetts’ security deposit law: an important consumer protection law for tenants. Overview of Massachusetts’s Security more »
A landlord not returning a security deposit is one of the most common complaints that comes up between tenants and landlords in Massachusetts. Massachusetts law heavily regulates the handling of security deposits, and this law can be used when a more »
