Legal Tactics: Private Housing is the most comprehensive handbook on tenants’ rights in Massachusetts. Written in easy-to-understand terms, this volume focuses on private rental housing. It answers questions on security deposits, rent, repairs, evictions, housing discrimination, lead poisoning, mobile homes, and tenants in foreclosed properties. Over forty sample forms, letters, and checklists provide tenants and their advocates with the tools needed to prevent problems, gain protections, and communicate effectively with landlords, boards of health, and courts. A one-stop reference, this book also provides the legal back-up you need through footnotes, an expanded phone directory, the actual text of key laws, and a glossary.
Legal Tactics: Tenants’ Rights in Massachusetts provides practical information about the laws that affect tenants. It is a resource for tenants, landlords, lawyers, advocates, mediators, housing agencies, community groups, and courts. This book focuses mostly on laws that affect tenants in private housing.
All chapters, booklets, and forms have been updated as of May 2017.
This edition of Legal Tactics also offers the following new features and information:
The laws and programs that tenants rely on to provide fair and safe housing were not created overnight. They are the result of many years of work by tenants and supporters. These people continue to speak out for national, state, and local programs and laws that will improve housing conditions for everyone.
As you use this book, we hope you see your support is necessary in the continuing effort to provide all people with access to a decent, safe, and affordable home.