When I started my firm 22 years ago, I did not realize it was just one day away from International Women’s Day.  Being a women owned business has been an amazing journey.  Last March, we added Joseph Sherman to our firm. Now this March, I can announce that we’re getting even stronger with the addition of Read More

For the first time since 2007, the State Sanitary Code has been amended and will take effect next month.  I can’t speak to previous versions, but it looks like the Sanitary Code has received a major overhaul with these amendments.  As an attorney who regularly represents both landlords and tenants, there are certain issues that Read More

When I think back twenty years ago, I had a three month old and a three year old and a desire not to return to my firm after maternity leave.  So, I decided to do it on my own terms and started Tanowitz Law.  In hindsight, returning to my old job probably would have been Read More

It’s hard to believe that nineteen years ago today, Tanowitz Law Office, was born.  In nearly two decades, we’ve helped more than five hundred clients and handled hundreds more matters than that.  Thanks to our clients for continuing to allow us to help you with your matters.  We look forward to many more years of helping Read More

We recently touched on the issue of obtaining building permits in home improvement work.  In addition to state requirements, most cities and towns have their own local ordinances that govern home construction.  You are likely aware that cities and towns dictate zoning and setback requirements, but did you also know that local ordinances can also put further Read More

On this blog we previously discussed what to look for when hiring a home improvement contractor.  But what about after you hire that contractor?  Another trap for the unwary is during the process to obtain the building permit.  Under the Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor statute, in order to avail yourself of some of the statutory benefits available to homeowners, the contractor Read More

As we have posted before, when you undertake a home improvement project — a renovation, an addition, finishing a basement — the contract between the homeowner and the contractor is likely covered by Chapter 142A.  Chapter 142A has some specific requirements for contracts.  In this post, we are going to focus on the requirement that the Read More

Massachusetts housing costs are very expensive — rent is expensive and the prospect of buying a home may seem completely out of bounds if you are single or on a limited income. Lately, we’ve been working with people who have tried to manage their housing costs by purchasing a property and renting rooms in their Read More

In Massachusetts, in general, a landlord is required to pay for a tenant’s electric and gas utilities unless, there is a separate meter which serves only the dwelling unit or other areas that a tenant uses exclusively and a written lease which states that the tenant is responsible for those utilities. If a tenant is Read More