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…
Read moreFAQ: Massachusetts Landlord-Tenant Questions Answered
Q: What is a Summary Process case? A: It’s the same thing as an eviction case in Massachusetts. It’s the only way to get a tenant out in Massachusetts. Self help evictions are illegal. Q; What is a Notice to Quit? A: A notice to quit is a carryover from English common law – which…
Read moreThe City Notified Me To Evict My Tenant, What Do I Do?
If you received a notice from a city or municipality in Massachusetts stating you must evict your tenant for violation of Massachusetts law such as criminal activity – you may be scared or confused or both or neither – but you still need to take action to avoid liability of your own accord. The municipality…
Read moreEviction Case: Timeline In Massachusetts
The Massachusetts tenant has a right to an eviction case per case law and M.G.L. c.186 and c.239, except for rare circumstances like a police raid – covered instead by M.G.L. c.139 s.19. Merely changing the locks or using other “self-help” means for eviction will likely result in the tenant winning money from the landlord and…
Read moreShivick’s Appellate Work Has Lasting Consequences for Massachusetts Tenants
My firm shuts down the most unlawful businesses, including landlords and debt collectors, as shown below. Here, I argued in the Court of Appeals with the resulting Rule 1:28 opinion affirming the housing court judge’s Order and finally shutting down the plaintiff in this case – the same plaintiff as in LAS Collections v. Pagan,…
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