State Specific Question About: MASSACHUSETTS (MA)

MA Landlords UNITE!! I got a suggestion for us from NEHC today when I showed them Booklet 4, Discovery, Representing Yourself in an Eviction Case, courtesy of Community Teamwork, Inc. or as I like to call it, the "How to Defraud Your Landlord" package. (Paid for w/my own tax money no less!)

On the cover of this it states, "Discovery also postpones your eviction trial for two weeks if you give a copy of your Discovery request to the court and to your landlord (or landlord's attorney) on or before your Monday Answer Date."

When I showed them this, they stated that we could probably make a motion in Boston that this wording be removed, as it encourages frivolous requests for Discovery and abuse of the legal system. Any landlord laywers out there?

Tammy, are you familiar with SPOA? They regularly lobby the state legislature for changes in the MA LL / Tenant laws. Every year I go with them to talk with the folks on Beacon Hill.

Although I agree with you, I feel compelled to point something out. This business has all the laws and assistance slanted in the tenants favor (at least here in MA). I'm not saying you are complaining, but I've heard my share of landlords complain about how unfair this business is towards us. My answer is that it was that way when they got into the business and if they don't accept it then they should probably find a different business. The reason landlording can pay off so well in the long term is because it is a difficult business and for that reason only those willing to deal with the adversity get rewarded.