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Author: Amanda

MEEB Newsletter September 2025

Written by Amanda on . Posted in Owners Area, Pull Up a Chair, Residents General.

LANDLORDS CAN’T REQUIRE APARTMENTTENANTS TO PAY THE BROKER’S FEE

Effective August 1, 2025

Landlords have traditionally required tenants to pay the broker’s fee when they rent an apartment, and tenants have generally expected to incur that expense. But this standard practice in the rental housing industry is now illegal in Massachusetts as the result of an amendment to the state law governing the registration of real estate brokers and salespeople. That amendment, which took effect August 1, prohibits landlords from requiring tenants to pay the fee for the landlord’s broker.

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MEEB Newsletter August 2025

Written by Amanda on . Posted in BOT, Owners Area, Pull Up a Chair.

BOARD MEETING RULES SHOULD FOLLOW BEST PRACTICES

What Can Be Done?

PROBLEM: An owner invites a good friend frequently to spend weekends with her. Although this is a non-smoking community, this friend insists on smoking inside the owner’s unit, on her patio, and in common area hallways – all specifically forbidden by association rules.

SOLUTION: The association’s relationship is with the owner, not the guest, so the board’s enforcement actions must target the owner.

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MEEB Newsletter July 2025

Written by Amanda on . Posted in BOT, Pull Up a Chair.

BOARD MEETING RULES SHOULD FOLLOW BEST PRACTICES

Condo association boards generally have considerable leeway to establish the rules and procedures governing their meetings, subject only to any requirements established by state law and their governing documents. Apart from these typically minimal requirements (addressing mainly the frequency of meetings, quorum and advance notice) boards can usually organize their meetings however they choose. While there aren’t a lot of specific requirements for board meetings, there are best practices boards should follow to ensure that their meetings operate smoothly, with minimal friction among board members and between the board and the owners they represent. I’m going to focus on some common questions that highlight the most important best practices we recommend to our clients.

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