Mayor Richard Kos today announced that the City of Chicopee, though the Office of Community Development, will be hosting a series of three Rental Property owner sessions. The flexible program is designed to assist Chicopee Rental Property owners to be better owners, improve the landlord-tenant relationship, and simply how to “stay out of trouble” in today’s complex tenant-landlord environment.
The sessions will be held on consecutive Tuesday evenings, May 8th, May 15th, and May 22nd at the Munich Haus from 6:00PM - 8:00PM. The sessions will be facilitated by John Fisher, author of the Rental Housing Manual. Rental Property owners or those considering rental property can attend one, two, or all three sessions.
Workshop 1. The Rules of the Game.
Topics: Creating a tenancy. The differences between a lease and a rental agreement, and why it’s important to know them. How to avoid choosing the wrong tenant. Fair housing compliance and when and how to make a reasonable accommodation.
Workshop 2. Avoiding Code Problems.
Topics: The Implied Warranty of Habitability. Complying with: the State Sanitary Code, other building codes, rental subsidy requirements and Housing Quality Standards, Massachusetts lead paint requirements and the federal Repair, Renovation and Painting (RRP) requirements.
Workshop 3. Tenant Rights, Tenant Responsibilities and Evictions.
Topics: Rental property as a business. What your tenant should expect from you; and what you should expect from your tenant. Evictions and dealing with problem tenants. Other sources of information and support for rental property owners.
The sessions are free to Chicopee property owners who can register by calling the Office of Community Development at 413-594-1490 or electronically to klingenberg@chicopeema.gov While pre-registration is not required, all pre-registered attendees will receive a free copy of the Property Management Manual for Massachusetts Rental Owners (6th Edition).
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