Late Rent Payments

[Michelle D.]

Hi there I have a tenant who has been chronically late with rent since the lease began, first it was a week late, then 2 weeks, then a month...tenant pays eventually after multiple phone calls and reminders. Considering eviction but scared of what I read on the Internet about Massachusetts. Wondering if the cost of getting a lawyer is worth the trouble? One year lease would go to month-to-month in December.

[Rich N.]

Yikes! Get a lawyer when you need a lawyer, but right now you do not need a lawyer.

You have two choices (others of course):

1. Notify them in September/October timeline you are not renewing the lease (expect to hear grief).  

2. Next time they come up late, serve the 14 days notice for non-payment. You can do this or have a constable do it ($35-50).  Whenever the 15 or 16th day rolls around,  have a constable serve them a Summary Process  to appear in court (constable $50-90 and court cost $135-195).  This is usually 2 to 3 weeks out for the court date.