Boston Bar Association

This training provides a basic overview of how to assist and represent low-income, owner-occupant landlords, many of whom have been financially impacted by the pandemic. It also provides information on why this underserved population needs assistance and how to help by volunteering with Volunteer Lawyers Project's (VLP ) Landlord Advocacy Program.

Why VLP advocates for low-income landlords:

• To keep legal system even-handed, low-income landlords need access to free legal advice too
•  Advocating for small, low-income landlords helps keep the rental market affordable and stable
•  Mom-and-pop landlord demographic is vulnerable – typically elderly, non-native English speakers who survive on pensions and moderately priced rental income to pay bills, maintain properties, and keep mortgages up to date
• Owner-occupant landlords live in the property they rent out, so their tenants are also their neighbors; these circumstances can create unique challenges