Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has filed an amicus brief in the case of Peebles v. JRK Property Holdings, Inc. The brief petitioned the Supreme Judicial Court to rule that renters should not bear the financial burden of routine property maintenance, such as painting or cleaning services when vacating a rental.
JRK Property Holdings, a property management firm based in Los Angeles, oversees six residential buildings across Massachusetts. The plaintiffs in the case have alleged that JRK includes illegal clauses in its lease agreements, requiring tenants to pay for normal wear and tear repairs and to hire professional cleaning services upon moving out. It has also been claimed that JRK has improperly retained security deposit amounts to cover these expenses.
Attorney General Campbell maintains that Massachusetts law mandates landlords to manage and pay for repairs and maintenance themselves, prohibiting the transfer of these costs to the tenants. The law outlines a "reasonable wear and tear" clause, safeguarding tenants from being held accountable for the normal deterioration of the rented property. Furthermore, Campbell argues that requiring tenants to pay for professional cleaning services upfront is a violation of state’s security deposit law as it acts as a preemptive charge for typical wear and tear.
Regulations from the Attorney General’s Office classify such lease terms as unfair and illegal, constituting violations of state consumer protection laws. To assist both landlords and tenants, AG Campbell has issued a Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights. Additionally, renters believing their rights have been infringed can file complaints online or contact the Attorney General’s Office directly.
The case was managed by attorney Matthew Lashof-Sullivan and Assistant Attorneys General Jane Sugarman, Mercy Cover, and Daniel Bahls from the Consumer Protection Division, along with Director Esme Caramello from the Housing Affordability Unit.