All Forum Posts by: Linda Roberts

Hi, I bought a multifamily a year ago. In one apartment I have long time tenants at will with rent about $600 below the market price, or $800 below, if I renovate. Four months ago I sent them a letter terminating old lease and offering a new rent that was $400 higher. I gave them almost 3 months notice, and new payment was supposed to start on March 1st. In the beginning of March I received from them a regular old payment. What should I do now, considering current situation? Can anyone recommend experienced lawyer in Boston (Medford) area?  

What if I offer cash for keys? What would be a reasonable amount? If i sign with them cash for keys agreement, giving them 2 months to move, do I still need to send a notice to quit?  Appreciate any good advice. 

Thanks @David Lilley. I read all the instructions before sending a letter of lease termination, so I hope this part is correct. For the next step, it looks like it's better to go with a lawyer.

Thank you @Brad Hammond for your advice. 

Hi, I am a new landlord in Massachusetts. We purchased a multifamily a year ago with one apartment occupied. This family doesn't cooperate with us. They are tenants at will and we don't have any written agreement.  They pay rent, but it's at least $600 below the market price. 2 months ago I sent them a letter where I terminated current lease and offered a new lease under a market price, starting March 1st. On March 1st I received an old payment. They transfer payments directly to the account with Zelle. How should I respond? What should be my next step? Are there any formal standard letters for this situation? Also I was told that I should not deposit check, but in my case it's direct money transfer. What should be done about it?

Hi @Drew Sygit. Thank you for this clear outline of potential issues that should be discussed upfront. Do I need a real estate attorney, or it's a different attorney for business partnership? 

Hi, I want to buy a multifamily home with my relative. General idea: I pay cash for entire house and for renovations (already got funds). My partner is in rehub business, he will do renovations. After renovations are done I refinance the house and take mortgage on my name. Since this time we own house together 50/50. He is responsible for house maintenance, work with tenants and property management.  I pay mortgage, and we split remained cash flow. If the house is vacant, or require renovations, we split the expenses. For exit strategy, if one wants to sell, the other can buy the second half by market price, or we sell this house, pay back mortgage and split remained funds. 

Please tell me, what roadblocks should I consider?  What potential problems I should think in advance? Is there a standard agreement for this type of purchase? Please recommend any literature that I should read first.

Appreciate your help.

Thank you, @Brad Hammond @Jonathan Styer @Marc Winter
I know exactly who created a mess. I send this tenant emails once a month asking to remove things, and usually everything is better for a week. This is a TAW family, I don't have with them any agreements. They were in the house when we purchased it. What is a right way to document violation in this case? Is there any sample of formal written violation letter? Is it legal to remove everything in the basement and send them a note about it? I am afraid this case will end in the eviction court, because I have many other issues with this family, so I need to make sure I do everything right. 

Hi, I am a new landlord, and I have tenants on the second floor that constantly use stairs as an extension for their apartment.  Front hallway and the stairs are packed with recycling, bicycle, mail, amazon boxes ,closes... It's a violation of fire safety and sanitary code. I asked many times to remove, but even if they do it, everything is back in a week. What are my legal options? I have other tenants that complain about it. Can I remove it and put in a basement or other storage? What legal steps should be done to document this mess, other than just pictures?

Appreciate your advice. 

I recently purchased a multifamily and now one apartment is vacant for renovations. Lead paint status is unknown, but a year built is 1900. 
Before calling a lead inspection i wanted to get some idea of what need to be done under the new laws of 2017. If I have lead paint on doors and door jambs, do I need to replace them? What is a less expensive way to delead doors and door jambs? It looks like I can't encapsulate doors.
I wanted to start from encapsulation of all walls and trims, but then found that I can't do it before the inspection. Is it right?

@Douglas Snook Thanks for your advice. On your opinion what can be reasonable rent increase? Can I ask for $300 increase? It's still below market even for Boson Covid prices. I will be happy if they leave, but it doesn't look like they will do it without mediation or even a court hearing. In this case I don't know what's better, just a 30 day Notice to Quit, or also option for new TAW with a new rent. From everything I read, if they disagree and continue paying old rent ontime, the court most likely will be on their side. What would be a right thing to do?