Collected housing rights links

[elements.livejournal.com]

I see from the post earlier that I'm not the only one who's had to delve into landlord/tenant law recently. I figured it might be useful not just to bury these links in a comment to that post, but to start a post on resources for local (Somerville/Cambridge/Medford and MA in general) housing laws for the community. If people comment I'm happy to edit in new links, and also promise to try to organize them a bit better later on (I'm procrastinating on packing for a morning flight right now...). Here goes:


http://www.masslegalhelp.org/housing/legal-tactics1 = Very excellent comprehensive easy-to-read guide. Highly recommended.
http://www.masslegalhelp.org/housing/self-help-forms = great self-help forms for template responses to various conditions in a rental relationship

Somerville tenant handbook - from nowalmart in the recent post on leases
http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/landlord.html
http://www.masstenants.net/tenant_rights/index.htm
http://www.hud.gov/local/ma/renting/tenantrights.cfm
http://www.livejustice.org/index.htm - click for the legal library, searchable
http://www.masshousinginfo.org/
http://www.lectlaw.com/files/lat07.htm
renting section on mass.gov
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in MA - includes several local groups
common illegal clauses in leases
Housing code violation checklist

Somerville News Coverage of MS-13 Arrest

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

I think that the Somerville News piece about the recent MS-13 arrest did an unusually good job depicting the grey area of morality that is so often ignored by the media in their coverage of criminals. I know that such an opinion is commonly viewed by the masses as bleeding-heart, or liberal-guilt, or what have you, but I can honestly say I am proud to be part of a community that recognizes the human side of all people, and I feel this article is an excellent example of that. I do not know specifically what actions Morales was responsible for as a gangster, and I do not question that MS-13 is a very powerful and dangerous entity; but because of this article perhaps a few more people also reflect on the fact that no-one is only a thug.

I would welcome your thoughts.

Wedding DJ

[shellaby.livejournal.com]

Would anyone recommend an excellent wedding DJ from the general Boston area?

Thanks!

Outdoor (free) movie series starting up in Sept.

[fefie.livejournal.com]

 
Now that the outdoor/free movie series in Davis Sq. has ended, another
one is starting up in September in East Somerville, courtesy of East
Somerville Main Streets.

http://www.eastsomervilleflicks.org/

Places to buy live lobster?

[imnotbrian.livejournal.com]

Can anyone recommend a nearby place to buy good quality (whatever that means) live lobster to cook at home?
Thanks

Intersection of Bristol, Broadway, and Willow

[davelew.livejournal.com]

I need someplace to vent, and this seems appropriate.

Every weekday, my route home from my work takes me down Bristol Rd, across Broadway at Ball Square, and onto Willow Ave. Nearly every day, someone coming the opposite direction on Willow Ave and turning left cuts me off at the traffic light. It's like people driving up Willow have no idea that it's a four-way intersection, and think they can turn left at will without yielding to oncoming traffic.

Today, a car cut me off, then slowed down. The four cars behind them closed ranks, and all crept past (while I honked and debated the merits of T-Boning them) until my light had changed from green to red. I had to shift into reverse and back up onto Bristol to avoid the Broadway traffic.

Then, to make matters worse, the car waiting in line at Willow nearly hit me when it tried to turn left onto Broadway through my car. I had just honked at four cars, how did she not know I was there? Is there a cloaking field covering the end of Bristol that masks my honking? Or is it a rudeness field over the end of Willow that makes drivers not care?

Moving question

[duffless2323.livejournal.com]

I know that somerville is more lax and trash and items on sidewalks this weekend, but how soon is too soon to start putting trash out? I have a ton!

Apartment Needed

[spacehawk.livejournal.com]

Hi everyone!

I'm an MIT alum who just graduated from law school. I'm looking for an apartment for Oct. 1st (maybe Sept. 15th). I'm 25 (almost 26), I don't smoke, drink or do drugs, and I am currently working as a teacher's assistant in a 4th grade class while I wait for my bar results and search for a law job. I am vegetarian.

I'm looking for an apartment in the Porter/Davis area, hopefully for under $600 a month. I have a car, need it to get to work, and need parking for it. I would like to be within walking distance of the T if possible. I am looking to move in with housemates who do not smoke or do drugs, who are clean, who are respectful about noise and use of common space, who are emotionally stable and have good communication. I need a room that has a closet, and which is big enough for my bed (extra long twin), a large desk, two chairs, and some floor mats. There must be a sunny room for some plants. Wireless internet is also a must.

The apartment must be in safe, clean condition with working fire alarms and safe fire escapes, and if there is a basement, it must be dry (a plus if we can store stuff there). There must be a washer/dryer in the building, and the electrical system in the apartment must support A/C. I like my rooms to be around 75 degrees F, and it would be difficult for me to live in a place where the temperature is routinely kept below 65 (my hands and feet turn white). I need a non-sketchy landlord, and an apartment with a good, secure lock on the door. I will be getting up around 6:45 for work, and so I will also be going to bed early on the nights where I have work the following morning.

If anyone knows of any openings available, please respond to this post, or email me at the address provided in my LJ info page. Thank you.

[Edit] Thank you for the plethora of comments. Apparently under $600 is an unlikely option- oh well. Thought I'd give it a try. I'm willing to look up to $800. Pets are OK, too.