Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Massachusetts

Eviction Process Approximate Costs and Time Frame
I own a townhouse, and took in a roommate to help make ends meet. The living conditions in his room are deplorable and he does not pay. The agreement was everything split in half, and I'm lucky if I get anything. Checks bounce continuously and he refuses to pay cash. The most recent was he stopped payment on the last check. I have asked and even demanded that he leave and he disappears for weeks at a time. My question is what is the approximate time frame of an eviction process and what is the cost to me as the landlord?

Asked on 3/09/00, 5:29 pm

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Re: Eviction Process Approximate Costs and Time Frame

It takes a long time, usually several months. Typically

an attorney for a landlord asks for a retainer of $2,000 to

$5,000 to evict someone, but usually it doesn't take that

much; typically they will refund most of that, but sometimes

it takes all of that to get the job done.

Timeframe: if the tenant isn't paying rent, approximately 5 or

6 weeks, assuming they don't pay up on the rent and don't get

a laywer or good advice on tenant defense.

If there's a potential for big problems, fights, there's a statute

useful for tenants who are roommates.

I think I answered this question for you a few weeks

ago, didn't I? Maybe I didn't do such a good job.

Answered on 3/22/00, 9:32 pm

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