Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts
Storage
My husband and I have lived in our current apt. for 6 years which is very small and we have over 20 boxes that were never unpacked when we moved in. We found a bigger place and will be renting both places for the months of July and Aug, with the plans on moving half our stuff on July 3rd, packing the rest and moving the rest in late August. We are not allowed to break our current lease or sublet and the new place's lease starts in July.
Our current landlady insists our place will not rent because of the packed boxes and clutter. It is a clean apartment, there is no waste on the floors, etc. She wants us to put our stuff into storage before July 3rd. We won't pay for storage unless they let us deduct the amount from our rent which they have refused. They have asked us to move our belongings into a corner of the basement of the building which has no lock and serves as the trashroom. Again, we're moving half our things on July 3rd but she insists things need to go sooner. Does she have any legal reason to demand this?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Storage
Unless your boxes present a health or fire hazzard, your landlord has no right to make you move the boxes. If the Landlord wants you to put the boxes in storage, then they should terminate the lease at the end of July or at least pay for the storage.
Good Luck
Re: Storage
As attorney Roth stated, your landlord has no right to tell you how to set up the inside of your apartment, or to demand that certain items be placed in storage (absent a fire, safety, or health issue).
You should stand up for yourself, and perhaps retain an attorney to make the move as smooth as possible. Don't hesitate to contact this office.
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