Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Weymouth

Find the right Tenant attorney in Weymouth, MA

Tenant Law in Massachusetts

Relations between tenants and landlords in Weymouth, Massachusetts can sometimes be touchy. The fact is that it's not easy to be a landlord or a tenant, especially because landlords and tenants often don't understand the legal rights and responsibilities that apply to them.

Landlords and tenants have to navigate a web of legal rights and obligations. It's essential that the parties to a landlord/tenant relationship know what obligations they have to one another.

Landlord's Rights in Weymouth, MA

First and foremost, landlords have a right to timely payment of rent from their tenants, at the agreed-upon rate. This, of course, imposes on tenants a duty to pay their rent in full, in a timely manner.

Furthermore, landlords have a right to be compensated for damage a tenant causes to a rented unit, either intentionally or negligently. Landlords have a right to deduct repair costs from tenants' security deposits, unless the damage was caused by normal wear and tear, for which tenants are not accountable.

Tenant's Rights in Weymouth, MA

The most basic right of a tenant is the right to a living space that's fit for human habitation. This is, after all, what they're paying the landlord to provide. Landlords in Weymouth, Massachusetts are under a legal duty to make sure that their apartments are habitable. There are many factors that are considered in determining if an unit is habitable or not, but, generally, an unit will not be deemed habitable if it lacks any of the following: running water, electricity, heat, and protection from the elements (such as proper insulation, and windows that close).

Tenants also have a right to ensure that the common areas of their apartment building are reasonably safe. Landlords are required to make sure that the common areas of their buildings meet Weymouth, Massachusetts's building codes, and that there are no conditions that create unnecessary safety hazards. They are required to make, at their own expense, the required repairs.

Under the laws of Massachusetts, and the United States, discrimination in housing on the basis of race, religion, or gender is strictly prohibited. Additionally, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, landlords must not discriminate against renters on the basis of any physical disability. They also have to authorize the renter to make reasonable modifications to their apartment, to make it more accessible. Generally, landlords are only required to allow relatively minor and reversible modifications, and tenants cannot compel them to remodel the building, for example. Also, once the tenant leaves, the landlord can bill the tenant for the costs of restoring the apartment to its original condition.

And finally, most state laws prevent landlords from arbitrarily evicting tenants. If the lease agreement is for a set period of time, the landlord typically can't evict the tenant until the lease expires, without a good reason. Valid causes for eviction include unpaid rent, illegal activities on the property, damage to the building caused by the tenant, and excessive noise.

Can a Weymouth, Massachusetts Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Tenants and landlords always want to avoid getting into any serious disputes - these disputes interfere with the tenant's living arrangement, and the landlord's business. In short, they help nobody. While a good Weymouth, Massachusetts attorney can certainly help his or her client prevail in such a dispute, they may be more valuable for their ability to help prevent such disputes from escalating in the first place.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Weymouth

Weymouth is named after Weymouth, Dorset, which is located in England. The U.S. city is located in Norfolk County in the state of Massachusetts. Its formal name is The Town of Weymouth. It is a very historic town, as it was incorporated in 1635. Currently Weymouth has a population of 54,000.

Since Weymouth is a very "mature" city, it has had ample time to develop economically and commercially. In fact, the town is nearly completely developed compared to other areas in the region. Therefore many of the economic projects in Weymouth focus on redevelopment and transformation of existing facilities into new uses.

Examples of redevelopment in Weymouth include the conversion of Nike Missile Base into Webb state Park. Another project converts Mammoth Mart into a shopping center. The city of Weymouth is a prime example of efficient and productive use of commercial zoning.

The Town of Weymouth is neatly divided into four areas, or "Squares": Bicknell Square, Jackson Square, Weymouth Landing, and Columbian Square. The busiest of the four squares is Columbian Square, which boasts many local recreation and entertainment venues.

Lawyers in Weymouth spend a lot of time at the Quincy District Court, which has jurisdiction to hear claims arising in Weymouth. The District Court is located nearby in the city of Quincy. Many Weymouth, Massachusetts lawyers contribute their time to community building projects.

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Nicholas M.
Nicholas M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Golden, CO

Carl M.
Carl M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Seattle, WA

David A.
David A.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Walnut Creek, CA