Downing Van Dyke

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Are you using an outdated lease?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An outdated lease can lead to disputes, weaken your position in court, and create unnecessary risk when issues arise with a tenant.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This time, HUD has rescinded its 2020 guidance regarding emotional support animals (ESAs) and is signaling that it will focus federal enforcement on animals that are specifically trained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.

RentalProperty RealEstateInvesting LandlordMistakes

05/22/2026

As we head into Memorial Day weekend, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who served our country with courage and dedication.

At Downing Van D**e, we are grateful for the sacrifices made to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day — including the ability to build communities, homes, and businesses across New England.

We wish our clients, housing providers, property managers, and community partners a safe and meaningful Memorial Day weekend.

05/13/2026

Top 5 Mistakes Landlords Make in Massachusetts: Mistake #4 🎥

One of the most common mistakes we see landlords make is including pet rent, utility fees, late fees, or other charges in a non-payment notice to quit.

In Massachusetts, these types of charges are generally not treated the same as base rent, and including them in a notice can create major legal issues once the case reaches court.

Follow along as we continue our Top 5 Landlord Mistakes series with more practical legal insights for Massachusetts landlords.

05/06/2026

We’re looking forward to connecting with industry professionals tomorrow at at the Hynes Convention Center!

Stop by booth 613 and meet the team from Downing Van D**e — proudly serving as New England’s Premier Landlord Tenant Law Firm for 35 years.

Looking forward to a great day of networking, education, and industry insight.

05/05/2026

Massachusetts landlords, this is one to think carefully about. Security deposits sound like protection… but in reality, they often create more risk than they prevent.

In our experience, they rarely stop tenant damage. What they do create is strict legal exposure. Under Massachusetts law, even a small mistake in how you collect, hold, or return a deposit can lead to triple damages plus attorney’s fees.

That is a serious liability tied to just one month’s rent that you are likely returning anyway.

We also see security deposits come up in a large percentage of contested landlord-tenant cases.

Before you assume a deposit is protecting you, it is worth understanding the downside.

Take a look at the video to see why this is something every Massachusetts landlord should reconsider. Have questions? Visit our website at the link in our bio or call 617-720-3535 today.

05/05/2026

New series dropping 🎥

If you’re a landlord, this is one you’ll want to follow.

Over the next few videos, we’re breaking down the top five mistakes landlords make in their day-to-day operations. These are the same issues that consistently lead to headaches, lost money, and legal trouble.

We’re keeping it simple, practical, and straight to the point so you can avoid them before they become a problem.

Stay tuned for mistake #1 👀

04/29/2026

DVD is excited to be a sponsor at the NEAHMA maintenance conference!