Landlord Resources
We’re obsessed with real estate and always keeping a close eye on housing and zoning law, policy and regulatory changes, industry trends, outlooks, and more. We love sharing resources, ideas and the occasional story to help inform your decisions. Need something specific? Reach out to us anytime – we’re here to support you!
Easy as 1, 2, 3
There are at least a few simple ways to avoid some common and potentially costly mistakes with your rental properties. ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ In that spirit, we recommend setting up automatic rental payments for you and your tenants, ensuring security deposits are handled properly, and staying on top of lease renewal dates. Time and again, we see how these simple steps can preserve our clients’ time, resources, and bottom line. Mitigating risk through easy-to-implement measures will always be a win!
Make Rent Collection Effortless With Automatic Rent Payments
Set it & forget it! Zrent offers true convenience for landlords and their tenants by streamlining the entire rent collection process. Automatic rental payments on the 1st of each month? Yes, please!
Near or Far, Open Compliant MA Security Deposit Accounts Online
Avoid costly missteps in the handling of tenant security deposits. ZDeposit, an online tool offered through Leader Bank, is designed to simplify & automate the opening and management of Massachusetts security deposit accounts.
Lease Renewals
At your request, we will notify you in advance of important dates, provide any insight or guidance for the upcoming term, and facilitate your tenant’s first renewal by delivering a fully executed copy of the new lease to all parties, free of charge.
Somerville Moves Forward with Rent Stabilization Process
The Somerville Times
November 22, 2023
Real Estate Market Outlook
By Dr. Lawrence Yun, Ph.D.
Chief Economist NAR
October 25, 2023
Absorption of New Multifamily Units Rises as Completions Near 100K in Second Quarter of 2023
Jesse Wade
National Association of Home Builders
November 28, 2023
Deleading Tax Credit Doubles to $3,000!
By Eric Weld
MassLandlords, Inc.
December 4, 2023
How a City Can Shrink While Prospering & What It Says About All Our Cities
By Matthew Yglesias
slowboring.com
September 20, 2021
Rent or Buy?
By David Leonhardt
The New York Times
December 1, 2023
Security Deposits & Last Month's Rent
Learn how to manage specific prepayments like security deposits & last month’s rent in this guide.
Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation
Guide to Landlord & Tenant Rights
Landlords/tenant rights and responsibilities, as well as laws, regulations, and issues related to renting and leasing an apartment.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Office of the Attorney General
Security Deposit Law
Massachusetts Security Deposit Law Explained Line by Line.
MassLandlords, Inc.Â
2023 State Sanitary Code Changes Bring 10 New Requirements
By Kimberly Rau
MassLandlords, Inc.Â
State Sanitary Code
105 CMR: Department of Public Health / CMR 105 410.000: Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation.
Department of Public Health
(State Sanitary Code, Chapter II)
Notice of Occupants' Legal Rights & Responsibilities
Starting May 12, 2023, landlords are required to provide new tenants with state-issued ‘Notice of Occupants’ Legal Rights and Responsibilities’ form.
Access & Download the Form Here
Lead Paint Discrimination Advisory
An advisory for tenants, landlords, and real estate professionals.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Office of the Attorney General
Overview of MA Fair Housing Law
State and federal law prohibit discrimination in the sale and rental of housing by property owners, landlords, property managers, mortgage lenders, and real estate agents. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Office of the Attorney General
Fair Housing Rights & Obligations
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, and disability. Access fair housing laws enforced by FHEO.
U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development
City of Somerville, Legislative Matters Committee Meeting
The City Solicitor briefly discusses the Council’s ability to ban landlords from passing realtor and real estate agent fees onto tenants. December 5, 2023
Coming Shifts: Rental Market Insights from Zillow’s Q3 2023 Webinar
Skylar Olsen, Zillow Chief Economist & Manny Garcia, Zillow Sr. Population Scientist. November 29, 2023
City of Somerville, Legislative Matters Committee Meeting
The Mayor requests that this Council approve a home rule petition to request authorization for rent stabilization.
November 28, 2023