Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Boston

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Tenant Law in Massachusetts

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

There are various rights and responsibilities that landlords and tenants have. It's important that each party is aware of their rights, and the rights of the other party. By knowing and respecting these rights, the risk of conflict should be reduced dramatically.

Landlord's Rights in Boston, MA

Landlords are, of course, entitled to collect rent from their tenants. If a tenant fails to pay the agreed-upon rent, the landlord is typically able to evict the tenant without too much trouble, though the process can sometimes get fairly complicated.

Landlords also have a right to be free from damage to the rented unit. Tenants are expected not to damage their dwellings, intentionally or negligently. Landlords can deduct the cost of repairs from the tenant's security deposit. In general, tenants are not liable for damage resulting from ordinary wear and tear.

Tenant's Rights in Boston, 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 present. Landlords in Boston, Massachusetts are under a legal duty to make sure that their apartments are habitable. There are various factors that are considered in deciding 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).

Furthermore, tenants are entitled to common areas which are reasonably safe and clean, and free of physical obstacles. Areas such as lobbies, hallways, stairwells, and fire escapes must comply with the building codes of Boston, Massachusetts. Furthermore, any other unreasonable safety hazard, even if it doesn't violate a specific provision of a building code, can create liability for the landlord if it injures a tenant.

Under the laws of Massachusetts, and the United States, discrimination in housing on the basis of race, religion, or gender is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, landlords must not discriminate against renters on the basis of any physical disability. They also have to allow 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 lastly, most state laws prevent landlords from arbitrarily evicting tenants. If the lease agreement is for a set period of time, the landlord generally 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 Boston, Massachusetts Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Landlords and tenants generally want to avoid conflict with one another. Nonetheless, conflicts are sometimes unavoidable. If you end up in a major dispute with a landlord or a tenant, a reputable Boston, Massachusetts landlord/tenant attorney can help.

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Life in Boston

Boston, Massachusetts is known as the "Capital of New England" because it acts as the center of business, art, food, and culture. Bostonians comprise the 10th largest metropolitan area in the United States. Boston is home to a number of historical attractions like the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre, and the American Revolution museums that offer about billion in revenue for the city.

Furthermore, tourists flock to visit Boston and its colleges: Harvard University, Boston College, Boston University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Tufts University, UMass Boston, and many other business, music, and pharmaceutical institutions of higher learning. Students offer roughly .8 billion to the economy. With so many students, Boston naturally is home to some of the top firms in technology and biotechnology. The city boasts the highest amount of annual funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Boston is home to some outstanding New England based lawyers and law firms. Bostonians are subject to the area's high cost of living making the legal problems of the community somewhat unique. Violent crime has been on the decline since the Boston Police Department and United States Attorney and District Attorney started a crime and gang prevention campaign. Most Boston residents use the Suffolk County courts.

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