Being a landlord can be a rewarding experience but it comes with rules and liability that you must know to be successful at owning and managing property.
State Rules and Regulations
The Massachusetts Attorney General Office has put together a handbook regarding housing regulations for landlords. The handbook outlines laws that govern tenant-landlord interactions, tenant rights, how to terminate leases, how to carry out evictions, and even the size of the security deposit. To learn about the specific laws visit the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office.
Leases and Required Paperwork
When putting together a lease, make sure you remember all the other important documents that are required. These documents includes the lease, the lead paint disclosure documents, the security deposit form, the statement of conditions. Consult your real estate attorney before putting forth a lease to a tenant to be sure you are in compliance.
Tenant Right to Quiet Enjoyment
Mak sure you pay attention to the fact that tenants enjoy a right of privacy, and absent an emergency, require reasonable notice before entering their premises. These terms should be outlined in your lease.
The Fair Housing Act (FHA)
The federal government governs Fair Housing and protects against discrimination on basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or handicap. Be sure to comply with Fair housing in behavior and marketing.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
The Fair Credit Reporting Act act regulates landlord access to credit report histories of tenants. The act was designed to protect tenant privacy. A violation of this law can result in penalties.
Landlord Liabilities
Landlords have a duty to ensure a property is habitable for a tenant. Essentially, a landlord has a duty to ensure that a tenant can live in a property free of health issues or sanitary violations.
Terminating Contracts and Evictions
Hopefully when the lease ends everyone moves on their way happily. Sometimes, however, a tenant may decide to stay beyond the lease term resulting in the landlord needing to evict. Massachusetts has policies and procedures that should be properly followed as you progress through this process.
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