Recently, the Massachusetts Appeals Court ruled in favor of tenants who faced illegal rent increases. The retroactive three year rent increase was an unfair and deceptive business practice. Interestingly, the rent increase was approved by the Rent Control Board (board) and the tenants did not timely seek judicial review of the board's approval.
The Court determined the landlord should have known the law, even if it had gained improper approval of the board. Ultimately, the landlord's unfair rent increase was determined to be a violation of the consumer protection laws, and because the landlord failed to offer a reasonable tender with a demand letter, attorneys fees and potential double or triple damages attached.
Have you been a victim of unfair rent increases? Please give us a call to discuss any issues you are having with your landlord.
MARGO GATES & others v. MOUNTAIN VIEW MHC, LLC, & another. Additional Party Names: Amy Randall, Diane & Ronald Corliss, Judith Krynicki, Morgan Mgmt., LLC, Nelson Bros., No. 19-P-966, 2021 WL 710197, at *6 (Mass. App. Ct. Feb. 24, 2021).
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