Massachusetts law allows a landlord to file in District Court as well as Housing Court. This is because Housing Court is a relatively “new” court that was initiated in the 1970s and 80s. The result was that certain areas, like the upper and lower Cape, were not covered by Housing Court jurisdiction, leaving the District…
Read moreWhat can a landlord charge me to move into an apartment in Massachusetts?
Attorney Shivick has successfully prosecuted hundreds of cases against Massachusetts landlords over the last 10 years, and has a proven track record of collecting money judgments against small and large landlords.
Read moreLandlord Lock Out? Know Your Rights!
The good news for Massachusetts consumers is that Attorney Mike Shivick has been doing this work for a decade.
Read moreAppealing Section 8 Termination is Often the Right Decision
Massachusetts tenants have complained to me about the callousedness they face from their landlords – as well as their subsidy administrators (housing authority). The rules governing administration of Section 8 housing subsidies are spelled out at 24 CFR 982, et seq., and a copy of the tenancy addendum spelling out the majority of those regulations…
Read moreTop 5 Mistakes Tenants Make With Their Landlord
1. What Did You Sign? The most common mistake most tenants in Massachusetts make is foregoing legal representation during eviction cases. The most common effect and pitfall there is signing an Agreement for Judgment in negotiation or mediation that signs away all the tenants’ rights – often giving up tens of thousands in compensation because the…
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