Tenants survey on proposed just cause eviction law

Tenants survey on proposed just cause eviction law

City Life and many progressive organization are pushing for adoption of a just cause eviction ordinance ?

1. Have you heard of the Just Cause Eviction Ordinance?

2. From what you know do you support this effort?

I support the idea of Just Cause Evictions and have gone over the proposed law to see how it would affect 225 Chestnut. From my standpoint as a landlord, these are the salient points that will affect how we run the building:

There will be city run mediation on any rent increase over 5% and on every lease expiration or renewal where there are any changes to the rental agreement. Any time that happens the landlord has to file paperwork with the City of Boston. Mediation can then be required. There are many grounds for dismissal. The results are not mandatory unless the landlord makes a mistake. Mistakes could include: not being able to prove compliance with everything in the 41 provisions of section 6 of the law, or failure to follow the procedures in any of 20 other some odd laws or municipal ordinances, a problem with the wording on the paperwork, or a challenge to the landlord's dominant motive or good faith. If mediation happens and the tenant wins and the landlord decides not to honor it, if he doesn't file the mediation certificate just so he can be liable for damages, lawyers fees and 3 months rent. The process would start 30 days before the end of the lease, mediation would likely start after the lease had already expired and the whole process would likely take months and cost lots in time and/or legal fees.