Downing Van Dyke

08/07/2026

⚾ What an awesome night at Fenway as the Downing Van D**e team braved the heat and humidity to cheer on another Red Sox win—in extra innings! ⚾

Downing Van D**e was proud to sponsor the Massachusetts Apartment Association’s Summer Outing. The only thing hotter than the weather was the Red Sox, and despite the sweltering temperatures, it was a fantastic evening spent with clients, colleagues, and friends from across the Massachusetts rental housing industry.

Events like these remind us that the relationships we build outside the office are just as important as the work we do every day. It was great reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new industry professionals, and celebrating another successful MAA event.

Thank you to the Massachusetts Apartment Association for hosting another outstanding evening, and congratulations to the Red Sox on an exciting extra-inning victory!

Until next time… Go Sox! ⚾

**e

08/03/2026

In Massachusetts, landlord-tenant law moves fast, and minor compliance oversights can stay hidden for years.

The problem? Once a dispute arises, those small habits often turn into major liabilities in court.

This is why proactive legal strategy is critical. Having a specialized landlord-tenant attorney in your corner allows you to catch errors early, handle tenant disputes correctly from day one, and keep your business out of the courtroom.

A quick consultation today can save you thousands in avoidable legal expenses tomorrow.

Need a review of your landlord policies or assistance with a current tenant issue? Visit the link in our bio or call Downing Van D**e at 617-720-3535 today.

07/25/2026

🏠Downing Van D**e was proud to support another incredible NEAHMA Kids Day at Canobie Lake Park!🏠

A special highlight was seeing the event T-shirt featuring artwork created by a young resident from one of NEAHMA’s member communities—a wonderful reminder of the talent and creativity within affordable housing.

Thank you to NEAHMA for an unforgettable day and everyone who made it so special!

**e

07/21/2026

The only thing tougher than Massachusetts landlord-tenant law? Our golf game. 😂⛳

We proudly traded the courtroom for the fairway to support the Massachusetts Apartment Association Charitable Golf Tournament benefiting Heading Home.

We’re grateful to spend the day with so many amazing clients, colleagues, and friends—all while supporting an organization that provides hope and housing to those who need it most.

Thanks to everyone who made it such a memorable event.

**e

07/03/2026

Happy Independence Day from DVD! 🇺🇸

As we celebrate the Fourth of July and look ahead to America 250, we’re grateful for the freedoms that make our nation strong and for the communities, clients, and partners we have the privilege to serve every day.

From all of us at Downing Van D**e, we wish you and your family a safe, joyful, and memorable Independence Day.

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸

NewEngland DowningVanD**e

06/24/2026

🚨 MAJOR WIN for property management companies in Massachusetts! 🚨

I bet you didn’t have this on your 2026 Bingo Card…

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court just struck down the statewide rent control ballot question — not because of the policy itself, but because the court found that an exemption for religious facilities violated the Massachusetts Constitution’s prohibition against making religion a factor in a proposed law.

What does this mean for housing providers and property management companies?

✅ The proposed statewide rent cap will NOT appear on the November 2026 ballot.

✅ A proposal that would have limited annual rent increases to inflation or 5% (whichever was lower) has been halted.

✅ The ruling removes significant pressure from ongoing legislative negotiations surrounding rent control proposals.

While this is a significant development for the rental housing industry, the rent control fight is far from over. Tenant advocacy groups have already indicated they intend to continue pursuing rent control efforts in the future and that the error in the law is easily fixed (by removing the exemption for religious institutions).

For property owners, asset managers, and management companies, this decision reinforces an important reality: staying informed on legal and legislative developments is just as important as managing your properties.

The DVD Team will continue to monitor the evolving property management landscape so that you are always prepared to navigate the changes and challenges ahead. 👊

**e

06/19/2026

Are you using an outdated lease?
One of the most common mistakes we’re seeing today is landlords relying on lease agreements that haven’t been updated to reflect changes in Massachusetts landlord-tenant law.

Over the past several years, the legal landscape has changed significantly. A provision that may have been acceptable years ago could now be unenforceable or even create legal exposure for a landlord.

An outdated lease can lead to disputes, weaken your position in court, and create unnecessary risk when issues arise with a tenant.

Regularly reviewing and updating your lease agreement is essential. Illegal lease provisions can become a costly mistake.

If you have questions, visit the link in our bio or call Downing Van D**e at 617-720-3535 today.

06/10/2026

Another week, another update from HUD.
This time, HUD has rescinded its 2020 guidance regarding emotional support animals (ESAs) and is signaling that it will focus federal enforcement on animals that are specifically trained to perform a task, such as guide dogs or seizure alert dogs.

For property managers and landlords, this is a significant development. However, before making changes to your policies, there is an important detail to understand:

Just because HUD is stepping back does not mean ESA issues disappear.

Here in Massachusetts and throughout New England, state anti-discrimination laws still apply. Tenants may continue to pursue complaints through state agencies, which are not required to follow HUD’s approach.

Our recommendation:
• Continue evaluating ESA requests on a case-by-case basis.
• Avoid blanket approval or denial policies.
• Consult with legal counsel before changing existing procedures.
• Document your decision-making process carefully.

This area of the law continues to evolve, and additional guidance is likely on the way.

Watch the video for a breakdown of what changed and what landlords and property managers should be doing now.

Questions about ESA accommodations? Drop them in the comments. ⚠️ Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading or engaging with this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a licensed attorney.

06/10/2026

05/29/2026

Top Five Mistakes Landlords Make: Number 3 in Our Video Series 🎥 Reasonable Accommodation Requests

One of the most common mistakes we see landlords make is mishandling reasonable accommodation requests.

The problem usually falls into one of two categories:
• Failing to recognize that a tenant is making a reasonable accommodation request
• Failing to respond in a timely manner

Whether you think you’re in the fair housing business or not, you are in the fair housing business. Understanding your obligations and responding appropriately can help you avoid costly disputes and potential fair housing violations.

Have questions? Visit our website at the link in our bio or call 617-720-3535 today.

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