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Apartment Rental Experts Newsletter
Newsflash
“The best landlord-tenant relationship is one where both parties
try to accommodate the needs of the other without unnecessary protesting.
A good landlord-tenant relationship is one that works for both parties
and is based on reasonableness and common-sense instead of legal formalities.”
– From website of our attorney,
Donahue and Grolman
The above point of view may not be news to you, but we have found it effective
most of the time. Of course, a lease is a binding legal contract and landlords
and tenants both must abide. But even in the lease there are references
to “reasonable” wear and tear and other judgement calls. Our philosophy
at Apartment Rental Experts is to handle the legal paperwork with great
precision but also try to manage the apartment rental process in a way that
builds respect on all sides and helps establish good working relationships
among all parties. Just a thought for the rental season.
MA Carbon Monoxide Detector Law
If you go to
Greater Boston Real Estate Board Website you can find some good info on the new law.
Also, check out the
Consumer's Guide to Massachusetts Requirements for Carbon Monoxide Alarms .
The basic point for landlords is that carbon monoxide detectors are now required to be installed on every floor of every rental housing unit (as well as non-rentals, but that’s not our focus here). Landlords must inspect yearly and make sure the detectors and batteries are working properly. There are many special provisions, exceptions, compliance dates, etc involved with the law. We cannot give out legal advice here, so we will keep it basic and just say that all landlords need to make sure they are in compliance.
How Can a Landlord Charge Tenants for Water and Sewer Bills?
You can have a separate meter installed for each unit and require tenants to pay for
water/sewage bills just like they do for gas and electricity. However, it is not as
simple as just installing a meter. You have to have to have an inspection, install water
saving devices, etc. And if a tenants lease does not say they may be charged for water
then you cannot just start charging them after you do the work even with an inspection.
So, please review the RHA form and also contact your town’s inspectional services department
if you are considering making this potentially cost saving and environmentally responsible move.
How Can I Learn More About the Section 8 Program?
Mass Resources: Landlord's Guide to Section 8
is a good website to begin with.
There are many rules involved in renting through Section 8, but many landlords find it worth the effort.
Just remember not to get distracted by all the forms and inspections. A tenant with a Section 8
voucher needs to have their applications evaluated and references checked just like any other
tenant.
Somerville Condo Ordinance Debate
Here’s one point of view on the con side:
Small Property Owners of America (SPOA)
And here is the city of Somerville’s web link about the issue:
City of Somerville
This issue is hotly contested and as of this writing (June 2006) nothing has been decided. If you are interested keep your eye out for town hall meetings and news reports and contribute your opinion to the debate.
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