Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Massachusetts

question about tenants rights

I rent a duplex apartment and yard in a residential neighborhood. The landlord does NOT reside at this property. The landlord spends a very large amount of his time at the property. Sometimes as much as 6 days a week. The landlord does not enter the dwelling but he does spend a lot of time "puttering" around the yardand he "drives by" 3 and 4 times a day just to check things. I have no objection weekly yard maintance routine, however the landlord spends far too much time in the yard. I did mention to him that we would like more privacy as we do not feel comfortable using the yard while he is present. He became very upset and said that he will spend as much time as he likes here. I feel this goes way beyond routine grounds maintanance. Recently He has been here the last thurs., friday, sat., sun, and monday and this is a pattern that has gone on for quite some time.

I understand that there are certain tenant rights concerning entering the dwelling. Do these same rights apply to the property on which the duplex sits?

In laymans terms: How can I get the landlord to stop spending all his free time at the property I rent from him? All we want is a little privacy.


Asked on 6/12/00, 11:19 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stuart Williams

Re: question about tenants rights

Send me a copy of your lease and your street address.

Landlords are generally not allowed to "enter" (come onto) "the premises" without permission or at least notice. The notice must be reasonable and according to the Attorney General, if possible by appointment, which pretty much translates back to permission. Alternatively, he may come on for a real emergency.

I routinely write to landlords about in a shot-across-the-bow letter -- a cease-and-desist letter, if you will, that I use, which mentions the law against a landlord doing otherwise and tells him a little bit about the penalties.

Question: WHY is he doing it? Is he spying? Is he attracted to someone there? Is he a retiree with nothing better to do than to look over his wealth? Does he really do nothing some times? How long does he stay when he does nothing?

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Answered on 7/31/00, 12:21 am


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