Q: The tenant isn’t paying their full share of the rent and says that your agency is going to lower the tenant’s rent share. What’s going on?
A: A tenant’s rent share may decrease for a number a reasons, such as an income decrease. Metro Housing Boston is required to verify all changes before formally decreasing the Tenant Rent Share and making a corresponding increase in the Housing Assistance Payment. The verification process can, unfortunately, take some time. Meanwhile, the tenant may be unable to pay their previous rent share because of their reduced income. The good news is that changes may be made retroactively, which means that Metro Housing Boston can make up the difference between the contract rent back to when the tenant officially reported their change in income to us after all changes are verified. Your patience with Metro Housing Boston and tenant is appreciated. Please ensure the tenant is reporting their changes timely by having them use these links:
Section 8 Participants: https://www.cognitoforms.com/metrohousingboston1/interimrecertrequest
MRVP Participants: https://www.cognitoforms.com/metrohousingboston1/mrvpinterimrecertrequest
Q: My tenant isn’t paying the rent. Can you make them? If not, can you make them move out?
A: Metro Housing Boston is not a party to the lease and cannot enforce it. We can send out a warning letter to the tenant, but cannot force payment or remove the tenant. In these matters, you should proceed as you would with any other tenant.
Q: I believe my tenant is selling or using drugs.
A: If you believe your tenant is using, selling, or manufacturing drugs, please contact the police immediately. You should also alert Metro Housing Boston and keep us up to date with any developments. Please follow through as you would with any other tenant. Please note that Massachusetts law has changed recently regarding private use of marijuana. You should consult your attorney regarding your options as a landlord.
Q: I terminated the lease and the tenant hasn’t left. What am I supposed to do?
A: The only legal way to force a tenant out of a unit is through an eviction in court. Changing the locks, removing a tenant’s belongings, or otherwise barring the tenant from the unit or threatening to take action without an eviction is illegal.
Q: My tenant left the unit, but caused a lot of damage. Will you help pay for it?
A: The tenant is responsible for all damages to a unit above normal wear and tear. You should proceed as you would with any other tenant.
Q: How would I proceed as I would with any other tenant when there is an issue?
A: Please find some resources here:
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