All Forum Posts by: Zhenwei Chu

MA law requires to save tenant deposit money at bank escrow account. There is a website zdeposit.net that provide this service. It is very convenient to use. But my concern is that zdeposit.net is not a bank. zdeposit claims the money will be saved at Leader Bank. But the relationship between zdeposit and bank is partnership, not ownership. They are not bank themselves. Here is the response from their customer support:

ZRent and ZDeposit are products of ZSuite Technologies Inc (https://www.zsuitetech.com/), who partners with Financial Institutions.


Will it be a potential problem if goes to court?

Thanks
Zhenwei Chu

Thanks all for the replies. Another issue is the inspection was performed on 5/20. I did not get the report until today 6/4. I cannot wait forever and keep the unit vacant, so rent the unit to a different tenant on 6/1. Now the problem is not only the failed issues should be fixed, but also the unit must be rented to this section 8 tenant. Do I have to evict the current tenant? If the inspector hold report for one year, I have to keep the unit vacant for one year?

As I said I worked with Metro Housing in Arlington and Lowell, and have no issue with them. 

Before filled out Metro Housing Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) form, I talked with case manager. If I signed this paper, dose it mean I have to lease this unit to this tenant no matter what happen? I was told "NO". Even after the house passed inspection, I still have the right to select the tenant. I am not obligate to sign the lease with this tenant. 

Sounds like that Metro Housing owner packet should updated. 

"If you are unable to make the required repairs, please contact the Senior Inspections Coordinator as soon as possible."

should be replaced with

"If you are unable to make the required repairs, you will be sued for discrimination"

Interesting. If I discriminate section 8 tenant, I would not accept this tenant application at the beginning. The problem is Metro Housing has not approve my landlord application yet. Is it true if the house is too old, my properties was built in 1900, and have to demolish and rebuild new in order to pass section 8 inspection, I still have to agree? Or will be sued for discrimination? 

But this experience really make me to re-consider if I would accept any section 8 application again in the future.

The main dispute is the problem in the basement bathroom. He request to install a vent in the bathroom that does not have ceiling and door, or demolish the bathroom. I just fixed this bathroom and make everything works. If you learns physics in high school, to vent this kind of bathroom is same as to vent whole basement. I told him that this bathroom is not for tenant use. It is only for me in case of emergency. The problems in the unit are minor that can are already be fixed.

And this inspector hold the inspection report for long time. Even after I called him to ask for the report. I still could not get it. So I gave up and rented unit to different people. Now he escalate the case to their attorney.  The attorney sent me the inspection report that is after I already signed the lease with different tenant. But they still push me to rent the unit to section 8 tenant. 

Boston city does not require certificate of fitness for rental properties. The purpose of inspector say this to me is to imply that I am in big trouble to rent this property out without making repairs. I own multiple properties in Boston area for more than 10 years. Provided and still providing houses to tenant from Metro Housing program from different towns, except Boston. This is the first time I feel threaten and forced to do something I do not want to do. Meanwhile I am accused to discriminate to someone else. Dose landlord have no right to select tenant anymore? What is happening to this country now?

I did not say anything. I was accused by section 8 for discrimination if I do not fix these problems and do not rent the house to this tenant. I only filled out "Request for Tenancy Approval" form from section8, but they are not lease or contract. Inside this form, it mentions "If you are unable to make the required repairs, please contact
the Senior Inspections Coordinator as soon as possible." Now I was told I am discriminanting  section 8 tenant if I do not make the required repairs. Though my house has not been approved to by section 8 yet. I just bought this house one month ago, fixed lots of problems according to my buyer home inspection report and insurance company inspection report. But it still failed section 8 inspection extensively. That is why I felted that I am the victim of discrimination. And the inspector also threaten me if I do not make fix, the house is illegal for living. Does that mean the seller was illegal living there for more than 80 years? 

I was considering to accept a tenant from section 8 program. But inspector failed my unit with many un-professional reasons. And they force me to fix the problems without sending me the report, and accept this tenant. Is it ok to decide not to fix them? 

I received phone call from this inspector and later from section 8 program. They threaten me that I violate the discrimination law if I decide not fix these problems and not accept this tenant. It seems like if I accept inspection and I have already signed the lease with section 8. Anyone knows what will happen if I do not talk with them anymore? Sue me in the court?

I also feel being racial discriminated during inspection. Because I am immigrate and not good at English, this inspector picked everything he could. The house was bought about one month ago. It has Boston fire department smoke alarm certificate. But it is failed smoke detector. He also ask me to remove a cabinet light that was bought from Home Depot for sink. The bathroom in the basement has no ceiling and door. The inspector requires to install fans, or demolish the bathroom. Will the fan works if no ceiling and door for the bathroom?

Thanks