Helpline: 857-320-6452 | vlpnet.org/landlord

Top 10 Winter Weatherization FAQ’s for Homeowners: Your Top 10 Questions Answered  

Winter is here and it’s important to prepare your home for the colder months. To help you, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 Weatherization concerns homeowners frequently ask about. We’ve worked with the National Consumer Law Center to provide you with accurate and reliable information on these pressing questions. From insulation to heating systems, we’ve got the answers. Click the link to learn more and get your home ready for winter. 

Landlord Advocacy Project Resumes Partnership with Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys

The Landlord Advocacy Project is pleased to announce that it is resuming its partnership with Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys (MBWA) to provide free legal services to underserved low-income landlords. Through VLP’s Landlord Advocacy Project’s “Lawyer for the Day” services, eligible landlords can receive free, eviction or eviction-related consultation on a limited time basis. Our partnership with MBWA will continue to provide access to justice by delivering high quality pro bono legal services to the low-income landlord population through 2024. We welcome MBWA’s new attorneys to join our network and help us make a difference in the community.  

Boston Landlord is Victim to Tenant's Artful Deception

Ms. Honey is a low-income landlord and a part-time hospice caregiver who relies on collecting rent from her tenant to pay her bills and mortgage. The tenant has not paid any rent for over a year and lives elsewhere. With no other options, Ms. Honey incurred the expense of starting a formal eviction action and tried to use the Housing Court system to enforce her rights as a landlord. She is faced with the inherent delay of the court system, and the tenant's counsel is using all opportunities available to delay the proceedings. The summary process is no longer summary. Ms. Honey struggles to pay her bills and mortgage and continues to feel compelled to keep up her obligations as a landlord. Almost all that remains is some of the tenant's art supplies and other personal items. Ms. Honey needs help. The delay tactics used by the tenant are not justifiable, and she deserves relief from her financial struggles. The Landlord Advocacy Project helped Ms. Honey successfully oppose her tenant's motion to dismiss the case, prepare for trial, and receive monthly use and occupancy payments while the case is pending in court. 

*Client's name is fictitious to protect her privacy.

Meet Jennifer Caraballo, the "Client Attestation Form Whisperer"

We are pleased to introduce Jennifer Caraballo, Landlord Advocacy Project's Bilingual Paralegal. Jennifer has been instrumental in maintaining our project's mission for nearly two years, allowing us to assist more of our client base. Her tireless efforts in working directly with our landlord clients on intakes and case follow-ups have been remarkable; her ability to successfully get documents signed virtually by people who are limited English proficient, older, or less computer savvy is truly impressive! We call her the "Client Attestation Form Whisperer." Without Jennifer, numerous people may not have been able to get the assistance they needed just because potential clients couldn't complete the initial agreement signing process. Jennifer cares very much about getting help for those who are underrepresented. She is learning her third language, Portuguese, which has benefited our clients who need a Portuguese interpreter. Jennifer's passion for helping her fellow Massachusetts residents who need help the most is inspiring. Her dedication and hard work make her a valuable team member. We are grateful to have Jennifer on our team and look forward to her continued contributions to the Landlord Advocacy Project.  

Are you a Small Homeowner Landlord?

Want to Get Involved with the Landlord Project?

If you are a 2-3 family owner-occupied homeowner who needs legal assistance or help applying for rental, mortgage or utility assistance, click here to see if you qualify to speak with a lawyer. Lawyers from VLP can help you apply for assistance, completely free.

If you are a lawyer, law student, paralegal, or community member interested in volunteering to help our small landlords, click below to see volunteer opportunities.

Follow VLP on social media!