Arlington, Massachusetts Tenant Rights
Many residents in Arlington, Mass., rent their apartments or houses. Every resident who rents has certain rights and responsibilities laid out by laws in the state. These rights give the tenant freedom to enjoy his home and live in a safe environment providing. However, these laws also give the landlord the right to conduct business and evict a tenant if necessary.
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Rental Agreements
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Massachusetts landlords can require a written lease or opt for a tenancy-at-will arrangement. With a written lease, the landlord grants the tenant the right to live at the rental property for a certain period providing the tenant pay the rent and follow the guidelines in the lease. The tenant cannot end the lease early unless the landlord agrees. With a tenancy-at-will agreement, the tenant remains at the property indefinitely as long as both the landlord and the tenant want to continue the arrangement.
Finances
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When a tenant moves in, the landlord can ask for the first and last month's rent, a security deposit and a fee to change the locks on the property. The landlord cannot increase the rent during a lease agreement. If the landlord charges a security deposit, it cannot exceed the cost of one month's rent. The landlord must place the tenant's security deposit in an interest-bearing account. When the tenant moves out, the landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit plus interest, according to the Massachusetts attorney general. However, the landlord can withhold some or all of the deposit for damages or unpaid rent.
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Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities
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The landlord must provide the tenant with a clean and safe place to live and respect the tenant's privacy. This means that the landlord must make any repairs needed to make the rental property safe and livable. The landlord cannot enter the property at will and must notify the tenant before coming in to make repairs. The tenant must pay the rent each month and abide by any terms listed in the lease agreement. The tenant cannot cause any damage to the property and will be responsible for paying for damages beyond normal wear and tear.
Evictions
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A landlord has the right to evict a tenant who does not pay his rent or otherwise violates his lease agreement. In order to evict a tenant, the landlord will need to file a Complaint to start a Summary Process in court. If the court decides in favor of the landlord, the landlord can place the tenant's belongings in storage and evict the tenant. The tenant may have to pay for the cost of the storage unit.
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