If your debt exceeds the amount of money you can get for selling your house, sometimes the bank will accept less than what they are owed and call it even. It’s not an easy process and you have to prove to the bank that it’s worth it for them, but it can be less harmful than foreclosure. Consider getting out ahead of it and consider selling before you reach that point of having to choose between the two.
If you have any questions about short sales, contact us by calling (781) 319-1900.
You guessed it… the pause on nonessential evictions is extended again in MA. Still wondering how this effects you as a landlord or a tenant? Wondering what counts as an “essential” eviction? Watch on.
If you have any questions about landlording during a pandemic, contact us by calling (781) 319-1900.
The Moratorium pauses all “non-essential” evictions. A non-essential eviction is an eviction for:
for non-payment of rent;
resulting from a foreclosure;
for no fault or no cause; or
for cause that does not involve or include allegations of:
criminal activity that may impact the health or safety of other residents, health care workers, emergency personnel, persons lawfully on the subject property or the general public; or
lease violations that may impact the health or safety of other residents, health care workers, emergency personnel, persons lawfully on the subject property or the general public.
Landlords are prohibited from serving a notice to quit, filing a summons and complaint, enforcing an existing execution, or proceeding in court for all cases except those identified in item 4. Existing cases are essentially paused until the Moratorium expires. The Moratorium expires on the later of: 1) August 18, 2020, or 2) forty-five (45) days after the COVID-19 emergency declaration has been lifted, whichever is sooner. An unusual feature of the law is that the Governor may extend the law in up to ninety (90) day increments, not to exceed forty-five (45) days after the COVID-19 emergency declaration has been lifted. Governor Baker has extended the Moratorium through October 17, 2020. The practical effect is that the Moratorium is indefinite in length.
As noted above, evictions may proceed for lease violations or criminal activity that impacts the health and safety of other residents, health care workers, emergency personnel, persons lawfully on the subject property, or the general public. We should consider some examples:
Example 1: A tenant is constructing or storing incendiary devices on the property. This activity is illegal and it impacts the health and safety of the persons protected by the Moratorium. It would seem that an eviction could proceed under those facts.
Example 2: A tenant has a dog in the apartment which violates the terms of the lease. This activity is not illegal and it does not impact the health and safety of the persons protected by the moratorium. This eviction could not proceed under these facts.
Example 3: A tenant Is operating an unlicensed at home business in violation of the lease. The activity is illegal because it is unlicensed and it may impact the health and safety of the persons protected by the moratorium since it invites outside public onto the property which increases the likelihood of spreading COVID-19 to other residents. Further, some types of professions are highly regulated to protect the public. Performing such a profession unlicensed may be deemed to impact the health and safety of persons lawfully on the property and the general public. These facts may entitle the landlord to proceed with an eviction.
The natural question is “what is a landlord to do?” The Moratorium specifically states that “Nothing in this section shall relieve a tenant from the obligation to pay rent or restrict a landlord’s ability to recover rent.” As most landlords know, most judgements against tenants go unpaid. While impractical, a suit for breach of contract for non-payment or rent may proceed in spite of the Moratorium. A landlord may also see equitable relief. For instance, if a tenant is damaging an apartment, a landlord may bring a suit for breach of contract and ask the court to enjoin the tenant from making further damage. If the tenant continues, the landlord may request that the tenant be held in contempt. Each of these remedies lacks the punch that an eviction provides a landlord. The Moratorium provides relief to some landlords by prohibiting certain foreclosures.
Legal challenges to the Moratorium have already taken place. In Matorin et al v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, et al, Suffolk Sup. Ct. CA 2084CV01334, Judge Paul D. Wilson denied the Plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction. Click here to read the full text of the decision. Judge Wilson’s decision carefully considered the Plaintiffs’ constitutional claims including: 1) separation of powers under Article 30 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights, 2) Access to the Courts under Article 11 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rihts, 3) Taking of Real Estate under Article 10 of the Massachusetts Declaration of Rights. Judge Wilson found that the Plaintiffs are unlikely to succeed on the merits of their claims, they are unlikely to suffer irreparable harm, and the balance of harms and public interest favor upholding the Moratorium.
The Plaintiffs in the Matorin case also filed suit in the United States District Court District of Massachusetts. See. Baptiste et al v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts et al, CA 1:20-CV-11335. The Plaintiffs are seeking a preliminary injunction. While Judge Wolf has not issued a ruling on the Plaintiffs’ motion, the Plaintiffs’ motion may be read here. Plaintiffs argue that the Moratorium violates their rights under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Moratorium is a taking of real property in violation of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and Violates the Contracts Clause under Art. 1. § 10 of the U.S. Constitution. Judge Wolf is likely to issue a ruling on the motion at any time.
The Moratorium has significantly limited the availability of evictions in Massachusetts. If you would like to discuss the Moratorium, contact Benjamin Cote.
When submitting an offer, being up-front about your needs is imperative to the process. This week, Mark discusses how to be transparent about financing contingencies, home inspection contingencies, appraisal contingencies and home sale contingencies, as well as advice on how to brave thenegotiation process.
If you have any questions about submitting an offer and how to have a successful and reasonable transaction, contact us by calling (781) 319-1900.
Suppose you have received a citation in the mail notifying you that your sibling has filed a petition to open an informal probate of the will and appointment of a personal representative for your mother’s estate. You might be wondering: what does this mean and what must I do to object to the petition? This article is meant to provide some of the basics of filing an appearance and objection with the Probate and Family Court.
What is a citation?
A citation is a notice prepared by the Probate and Family Court which must be sent to each interested person in connection with an estate. Click here to see a sample citation. Chances are, if you have received a citation in the mail, you are an heir of the estate or named in the will that has been filed with the Court.
What does a citation notify me of?
A citation notifies the interested person that a petition has been filed and further notifies the interested person that they have until 10:00 AM on the return date to file a written notice of objection.
Why would I want to object to a petition?
There are many reasons that a person may decide to object to a petition. For instance, you may feel that the will being probated is not the most recent will, the will is the product of undue influence, duress, or forgery, the personal representative lacks priority of appointment, or there is some other defect with the petition that should be corrected.
How would I file an objection?
An interested person who wants to object pursuant to M.G.L. c. 190B §1-401(d) should file Notice of Appearance and Objection – MPC Form 505a (If you have trouble opening this form, right click and click “save link as” and open the file outside of your browser). The Notice of Appearance and Objection must be filed with the clerk’s office no later than 10:00 AM on the return date. Objectors are permitted to file an affidavit of objections no later than thirty (30) days of the return date. Id.
The return day is within the next few days, what should I do?
Call an attorney or print out Notice of Appearance and Objection – MPC Form 505a, complete it, and return by hand to the clerk’s office for the Probate and Family Court. If you later decide that you do not want to pursue the objection, you may file a withdrawal of your objection. By filing the objection, you preserve your rights.
If you have received a citation and have questions, contact Benjamin Cote to discuss whether filing an objection is in your best interest.
