Winter 2015
Meet Team MBHP 2016!

Next April, five volunteers will be running the Boston Marathon to raise funds and awareness for MBHP. Meet this year's runners and consider helping them reach their goal of raising $40,000 for MBHP's work!  https://www.crowdrise.com/MBHP2016/
HMLP: A more affordable way to make your properties accessible
The Home Modification Loan Program offers no- and low-interest loans for property owners to modify homes in which one of the residents has a disability or mobility impairment. Popular modifications include:
*Wheelchair ramps.
*Stair lifts.
*Converting first-floor rooms into bathrooms.

Investment properties qualify if the modification will help someone who lives in the home to continue living there.

HMLP makes it easy! MBHP can connect you with an experienced contractor who is familiar with our program. We also provide an inspector to oversee the project, coordinate with the resident, and make sure the finished project will adequately meet their needs.

HMLP is a state-funded program with a rolling application process. There is no deadline, apply any time. (Beat the rush--plan now for spring construction!)

For more information, visit our website or contact Jennifer Shaw at 617.425.6637 or jennifer.shaw@mbhp.org
G ot vacancies?
MBHP has families with newly-issued Massachusetts Rental Vouchers and Housing Choice (Section 8) Vouchers who are actively seeking apartments to rent. Prospective tenants are seeking 1-5 bedroom units throughout Metro Boston.


Please contact jennifer.shaw@mbhp.org if you have vacancies that might be available for these prospective tenants, or visit our website to list it using our free online service.
Help end veteran homelessness--rent to a veteran!
Right now there are veterans who are homeless in Boston, have a VASH voucher, and are looking for an apartment to rent. You can help!

If you would like to rent to a veteran, register your unit online at  http://homesforthebrave.boston.gov.

Have questions about renting to a tenant with a VASH voucher? Read the FAQs or visit our website to learn more. If you have more questions about renting to homeless veterans, contact Ian Gendreau at 617.542.0338, Ext. 273 or at gendreau@homestart.com.
Ask Jennifer

Jennifer Shaw, MBHP's Property Owner Resource Manager, is here to answer your
questions!

Dear Jennifer,
Winter is coming! What is the landlord's responsibility for removing snow and ice?

Great question! It's important for you to understand your obligations as a rental property owner, particularly if we have a winter anything like we did last year!
 
Massachusetts Law states that "The owner shall maintain all means of egress at all times in a safe, operable condition and shall keep all exterior stairways, fire escapes, egress balconies and bridges free of snow and ice, provided, however, in those instances where a dwelling has an independent means of egress, not shared with other occupants, and a written letting agreement so states, the occupant is responsible for maintaining free of snow and ice, the means of egress under his or her exclusive use and control."
 
This means that owners are responsible for removing snow and ice from all commonly shared doorways and stairways- areas that are used by more than one occupant of the building. If a tenant has "an independent means of egress" -meaning no other tenants use that particular doorway or stairway-then you can transfer the responsibility of the snow & ice removal to them, but this arrangement must be in writing, preferably written into the lease / lease addendum.
 
The law is vague regarding driveways and sidewalks so we strongly suggest owners proactively clear walkways and driveways to reduce the potential for injury and lawsuits. Additionally, some cities and towns have ordinances requiring property owners to clear snow from public sidewalks abutting their properties. Check with your city or town.

 
MBHP is here to help you each step of the way. If at any point you have questions or need guidance, don't hesitate to contact me at 627.425.6637 or jennifer.shaw@mbhp.org

-Jennifer

Submit your questions to jennifer.shaw@mbhp.org.
New workshop for tenants helps create good working relationships with landlords
On January 5, MBHP will start offering a new monthly workshop designed to help tenants and their property owners start out on the right foot. Intended to help prevent evictions, the Start Right workshop will focus on the importance of good communication, timely rent payments, and other factors that will help improve their chances of staying in their homes for the long-term.

Help us spread the word!  We would greatly appreciate if you would encourage your tenants, especially those with whom you sign new leases, to attend one of these workshops. More information, including online registration, is available on our website, www.mbhp.org  (click on Events > Workshops for Tenants).
Upcoming workshops for property owners

Section 8 Briefing for Landlords, Tuesday, January 12, 6-8 p.m.
Information on the Section 8 Program for property owners, including lease approval process, rent increases, and your rights & responsibilities. (Please note: This workshop was previously scheduled for January 13. It was rescheduled for January 12 due to a scheduling conflict.)

Energy Savings for Property Owners, Tuesday, February 23, 5:30-7 p.m.
Renew Boston offers property owners and landlords special incentives that can save you money by saving energy.

Register online or contact Jennifer Shaw  at jennifer.shaw@mbhp.org or 617.425.6637.
Have you signed up for direct deposit?

Get your payments from MBHP deposited directly into your bank account. Complete the Direct Deposit Enrollment Form and submit it, along with a voided personal check, to: Jennipher Moore, MBHP, 125 Lincoln Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111-2503.

Inspections system upgrade
To better serve tenants and property owners, MBHP has upgraded our system for creating inspections reports. This new system allows for much more timely reporting and cleaner, easier to read reports.

To view the reports generated by this upgraded system, you will need to have an up-to-date version of Adobe Reader. Visit the Adobe site to install this free software on your computer.

Please note that the reports will not be viewable on a smartphone, as smartphones do not support this version of Adobe Reader. 

For more information, visit the Inspections page on our website
MBHP offers support and resources for property owners
Annual Report 2015 is now online
The work of our Inspectional Services and Property Owner Resources team is featured in this year's Annual Report, now available online at 
 
Read more about MBHP's efforts to connect property owners with the resources and support you need to continue providing MBHP tenants with safe, decent homes they can afford. 

MBHP is successful because of our supporters. Help us continue to offer programs and services to tenants and property owners  by making a donation to advance our mission of helping families and individuals find and retain a safe, affordable place to live. You can make your year-end, tax-deductible donation using our new secure online donation page! Visit www.mbhp.org/donate

Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership
125 Lincoln St., 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02111-2503
617.859.0400 | toll free (MA only): 800.272.0990
www.mbhp.org