The MAR Legal Hotline

MAR attorneys can assist members with questions about current state and federal laws and regulations, permissible business practices, and important court rulings affecting real estate professionals in Massachusetts. The Legal Hotline is intended to provide general guidance to MAR members. Information received through the Legal Hotline is not to be used to counsel other real estate licensees or the public. Members are encouraged to seek independent legal counsel to assist with specific situations.

To Access the Legal Hotline:
  • Members may access the Hotline by calling 1-800-370-LEGAL (5342) or by sending an e-mail to legalhotline@marealtor.com
  • Please note that legal resources are available to MAR members as a benefit of membership.
  • The hotline is open Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

 

Legal Hotline Terms of Use:

Members using the services provided through the Legal hotline understand and agree that the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® assumes no actual or implied responsibility for any improper use of responses to questions through this service. 

Members using the services of the Legal Hotline may not convey or imply to others, such as clients, customers, salespeople, or brokers, any information obtained though this service in such a manner so as to be construed as providing legal advice or in such a manner so as to be construed that the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® is conveying legal advice.  

The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® will not be legally responsible for any potential misrepresentations or errors made by providing this service. 

Members understand that any information provided through the legal hotline is not confidential and no attorney-client relationship is created.  

Salespersons accessing the services of the Legal Hotline understand that a summary of the discussion with the MAR attorney will be shared with the Broker of Record. 

Notes from the Legal Hotline:

A monthly publication, Notes from the Legal Hotline, addresses the month’s “hot topics” in real estate law.

View Notes from the Legal Hotline on the MAR Blog

Legal Videos

Legal Ease Series

How to Preform a Tax & Title Search:

Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® Associate Counsel Kate Berard walks you through a basic tax and title search and discusses how this can help protect you from fraudulent seller scams.

MAR Legal Minute Series

MAR Legal Minute:

Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® Director of Professional Standards & Associate Counsel Kate Berard discusses tenancy fees that can and can not be charged by landlords.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the MAR Legal Hotline?

A: The MAR Legal Hotline is a member benefit offered to members of the Association free of charge. An attorney on staff is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, to provide information on real estate law and other related matters. The program is intended to provide general guidance to MAR members. Information received through the Legal Hotline is not intended to be used to counsel other real estate licensees or the public. Members are encouraged to seek independent legal counsel to assist with specific situations.

Q: How does the Legal Hotline benefit MAR members?

A: The program provides information to help prevent REALTORS® from making mistakes that may expose them to legal liability. Many of the questions received through the Hotline may not be considered “serious” enough to pay for a private attorney’s opinion. It thus enables members to receive answers to important questions at no additional cost and avoid potentially costly legal entanglements in the future.

Q: How do members access the Hotline?

A: Members may access the Hotline as frequently as needed. The Hotline may be accessed by calling 1-800-370-LEGAL, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, or by emailing legalhotline@marealtor.com.

Q: How quickly are calls and emails returned?

A: If an attorney is available at the time of your call, you may be immediately connected. If an attorney is not available to immediately answer your question, you should expect to receive an answer within 24-hours of your inquiry.

Q: Are Legal Hotline questions confidential?

A: No. Any questions asked through the Hotline DO NOT RESULT IN AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. Any information conveyed to the member may be subject to discovery by another person under certain circumstances if a lawsuit is filed.

Q: Can a MAR attorney represent me?

A: No. MAR policy prohibits the attorneys on staff from accepting employment with respect to any matter from or relating to a Hotline inquiry.

Q: Are there any topics the Legal Hotline will not handle?

A: The Hotline is not intended to provide legal advice with respect to any particular factual situation, or an actual dispute between members of MAR.

Q: What topics can I ask about through the Legal Hotline?

A: Members may contact the legal hotline on a variety of topics, including but not limited to: 

Advertising
Agency
Antitrust
Broker Affiliation
Business Entities
Chapter 93A
Commercial Transactions
Commission Disputes / Procuring Cause
Contracts
Disclosure
Escrow
Fair Housing
Landlord – Tenant
Lead Paint
License Law & Regulations
MLS
Professional Standards
Referral Fees
RESPA
Short-Term Rentals
Teams
Wire Fraud
Zoning Regulations

Members should avoid calling the Legal Hotline with personal legal questions.  

Q: Does MAR do anything with the information received from the Legal Hotline?

A: MAR maintains an internal database of all Hotline inquiries to identify and track trending issues affecting members. MAR uses this information to compile a monthly Notes from the Legal Hotline newsletter, which is published in our MAR Blog. This information is also used to assist with other educational resources and legislative efforts.

State and Federal Legal Resources

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