Sewage Backups–Does a Bad Odor Mean a Good Case?
During a four-day period from March 12-15, parts of eastern Massachusetts received up to 10 inches of rain. While there was widespread flooding throughout the region, many people also experienced backups of raw sewage into their homes, mostly in bathrooms…
Continue reading »Security Deposits: The Latest Major Decision
It has always been a risky proposition for a landlord to take a security deposit from a tenant in Massachusetts. But as a result of a recent decision by the Massachusetts Appeals Court, tenants have acquired even greater leverage in…
Continue reading »Deposits, and maybe deposit(ions)
I regularly become involved in disputes concerning deposits on real estate. These disputes generally arise after parties have execute a purchase and sale agreement and a buyer tenders to the broker the amount of the deposit that is required under…
Continue reading »Lis Pendens: A Powerful Tool to Enforce Rights in Property
When non-lawyers hear the term "lis pendens", many immediately shudder. Those same people may have been on the "receiving" end of a lis pendens, and they know how powerful a tool it can be to leverage rights in real estate….
Continue reading »Is a 14 day to quit notice legal if it’s sent by regular mail?
Additional Information: I live in Framingham and have been a tenant for over two years. My landlord just sent me a quit notice in the mail without communicating anything to me. Attorney Answer: No. A 14-day notice to quit must…
Continue reading »Putting up the Partition: Breaking the Real Estate Stalemate
Whether in marriage or in real estate, the law does not force people into togetherness. It is a frequent occurrence that two or more people own property jointly and either cannot get along or agree on how to manage,…
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