You have some options, but none of them really have a great outcome. The landlord lied to you, they’re probably not going to admit it or give you any concessions. You could ask, but I’d be prepared to not have your lease renewed. Most of the things you could do after that are kinda scorched earth.

For example, a building permit that’s open and not being worked on could be reported to the city. If the work happening in the space isn’t related to the space, that’s a problem.

You could argue that you’re not getting acceptable peace and quiet enjoyment with them starting work so early.

Depending on what they’re doing, it could be industrial not commercial, which might be a zoning violation.

With a construction site below you, your apartment might not technically be inhabitable because of the work they’re doing below you.

It’s worth speaking to someone from the Small Business Development Center, they give good advice on things like this https://americassbdc.org

If there is a local farmers market in your area you can ask the farm workers at any booth. They appreciate anyone planting pollinating plants and would love to talk and help you.

Salem, Ma is a great location too!

Talk to a lawyer - their may be less expensive ways of doing it if you will only have a small amount of revenue.

But also speak to you accountant - I was given very good advice as a courtesy. Most of it was to keep business and personal funds completely separate.

Thank you! This is helpful to know and to budget for. Right now the two clients who have expressed interest would likely only amount to $2-3k of billable hours, so it’s good to know that it’ll likely cost $1k to get started.

thanks!

That's super helpful!

Any info on if the insurance company needs to stamp this form: https://www.mass.gov/doc/registration-and-title-application-0/download

I got this question while reading https://www.dmvcheatsheets.com/articles/i-just-moved-to-massachusetts-how-do-i-get-my-driver-s-license-and-vehicle-registration

Be a real shame if someone went and looked at all the vehicles parked at summer homes on the Cape for months at a time.

Sure, makes sense. Then have your family go through the democratic process and change the law. Other states do WAY more objectionable things and we still visit them.

As a retired person, I should not have to worry about an extended visit with family. I still have my home and I plan to return.

Is it really “tourism” when you’re talking about someone moving here for a month or more?

oh puh-lease. The guy from VA "visited" MA for a MONTH and parked in one of the most crowded neighborhoods for street parking.

Should we perhaps increase the limit for when an out of stater should have to register as a MA resident? Sure.

Is ignorance of the law a defense? Never has been, doubt it should be in this case.

What a terrible headline.

I am neither a cop nor a lawyer, but I'm pretty sure the "drive around with an expired license and a printed copy of the appointment" advice is going to get you in serious trouble.

I got stopped for a dead tail light once. My father was taking me and my wife out to dinner. I offered to drive on the way back, without realizing that I had somehow neglected to bring my wallet. The cop was able to 100% verify that I did, in fact, have a valid license, but he said under no circumstance could he allow me to drive the rest of the way home. Since there were other drivers in the car it wasn't the end of the world, but:

Another time my mother didn't realize her license had expired. It was when the state stopped sending out reminders in the mail and she just spaced on it. She got stopped for something minor and not only was she not allowed to drive the remaining ~2 miles home, her car was impounded. It was a huge ordeal.

I guess maybe you might get lucky and interact with the nicest cop ever, and they happen to be having a great day so they look the other way and let you drive on an expired license, but that seems super unlikely.

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Thank you

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Massachusetts demanding visitors to "dual register" their vehicles and get Massachusetts plates when they neither live or work in Massachusetts, only visiting.

I'm sure it's more complicated than that, but very much anti-tourism.

What's the tl;dr?

We know.

This story started with a reddit post and ended up on the news.

As a resident I can confirm the food is better than the cocktails. They're not bad. Just a touch pricey for my tastes.

OP said there was no sheetrock on walls or ceiling—basically exterior walls and studs. That can’t be save!

Your apartment might be illegal, so be prepared to move if that is the case.

You don't even need to do anything. Someone can pay you for your services whether or not you have a formal business. You just have to report the income either way.

If you want the LLC for liability protection, you don't need to do legal zoom. You can just go to the sec of commonwealth website and fill it out yourself. Only takes a few minutes. https://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corp/loginsystem/login_form.asp?FilingMethod=I

That's the bare minimum. Should prob still talk to an accountant and lawyer to set up the business properly and make sure you're getting tax benefits and obligations right.

You should consult with a lawyer and an accountant here in Massachusetts. LLC offers some liability protection over a sole proprietor arrangement. May be some specific requirements for an LLC depending on what services you are offering. There are tax and ownership issues that you also need to understand.

A simple LLC should cost you $1k to set up - $500 for legal fees and $500 for filing with the state.

MA continues to be very desirable. A structural NIMBY attitude driven inability to build substantially more housing. High wealth and high income household outcompetes everyone else on the limited housing

Tinfoil hat a little tight today?