Transferring Your Case to Housing Court from District Court

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…

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Top 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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Massachusetts Residential Security Deposit Law (3x Deposit) – M.G.L. c.186 s.15B

When moving into an apartment or rental in Massachusetts, the landlord is limited to charging a First Month’s Rent, Last Month’s Rent, Security Deposit, and a one-time reasonable lock and key charge. That’s it and the Last and Security cannot exceed the monthly rent. The Massachusetts Security Deposit Law is renowned for its triple-damages clause…

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