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MAR CEO Theresa Hatton and NEAR President-Elect Neily Soto Testified Against Rent Control Bills
January 13, 2022
On Tuesday, January 11, CEO Theresa Hatton and NEAR President-Elect Neily Soto testified against rent control bills before the Joint Committee on Housing. Hatton explained the challenges facing the state – a severe lack of housing production and wages that have not kept up with the costs of basic consumer… -
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Notes From the Legal Hotline: January 2022
January 3, 2022
Q: I just found out my buyer client bought a house with another agent. What options do I have? A: What recourse is available in these situations depends on the type of relationship between the agent and the buyer. If the buyer and agent entered into an exclusive representation agreement,… -
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State Announces Rental Assistance Changes
December 21, 2021
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) announced some impending policy changes for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and the Residential Assistance for Families... -
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A Big Step for Multifamily Housing Production
December 17, 2021
MBTA Community Draft Zoning Guidance Released Massachusetts REALTORS® have long championed the call to allow for more production of much-needed multifamily housing. With draft state guidance now available to cities and towns, it will soon be easier to build multifamily housing in many cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts. … -
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Limitations on Unlicensed Assistants and Lockbox Access
December 15, 2021
A recurring question in the world of real estate brokerage, is “What can my unlicensed assistant legally do?” While Massachusetts license laws do not provide a specific list of dos and don’ts, generally, unlicensed assistants should not be performing activities that bring them into direct contact with customers and clients.… -
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$620 Million for Housing in First ARPA Funds Bill
December 3, 2021
On December 3rd, the Legislature passed its first American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds bill, H.4269, An Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs, sending it to the Governor for his signature. The federal ARPA law allocated billions of dollars to states in one-time payments to assist in COVID recovery efforts. Massachusetts received $5.3 billion. H.4269 spends a little… -
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Notes From the Legal Hotline: December 2021
December 3, 2021
Q: I heard there is a new Mandatory Licensee-Consumer Relationship Disclosure. Is that true and when does it need to be presented? A: The Relationship Disclosure must be presented to a consumer at the first personal meeting in which specific property is discussed. Recent changes to the Mandatory Licensee-Consumer Relationship… -
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New MA Mortgage Assistance Program
December 1, 2021
The Department of Housing and Community Development announced the creation of a new, $178 million Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) to provide financial assistance for homeowners behind on mortgage payments due to COVID-19. Homeowners who have already applied through the Housing Assistance Central Application prior to December 1 will continue to have… -
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Court Strikes Down Boston Eviction Moratorium
November 30, 2021
The Boston eviction moratorium, enacted on August 31, 2021, five days after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal eviction moratorium, was struck down by a Massachusetts Housing Court judge yesterday... -
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Update to Massachusetts Mandatory Licensee-Consumer Relationship Disclosure
November 24, 2021
The Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons has released an updated Mandatory Licensee-Consumer Relationship Disclosure. The updated disclosure clarifies that, in the absence of a personal meeting between the licensee and consumer, the form must be presented no later than the licensee entering into a contract with…
