Mass Attorney General Issues Advisory To Small Businesses About Protections Under State’s Eviction Moratorium

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BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey has issued an updated advisory to small businesses across Massachusetts regarding the protections provided under the state’s eviction moratorium.

“There is continued confusion and fear from small business owners about their financial situation amid this pandemic,” said AG Healey. “We’ve updated our advisory to provide additional information and resources to the many small businesses that we know are struggling right now.”

The updated advisory, originally published in March, provides a wide range of information and resources for small business owners.

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The advisory was recently updated with information regarding the Massachusetts Eviction and Foreclosure Moratorium, which, in many circumstances, forbids landlords from evicting small business tenants for the duration of the moratorium. However, the moratorium does not relieve a small business tenant from the obligation to pay rent or restrict a landlord’s ability to evict a small business tenant for failing to pay past due rent after the moratorium ends.

The AG’s Office is also currently providing information that small businesses can use to connect them with resources that they may need, including information about loans and grants, rent abatement, insurance coverage, and ways to cut expenses.

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The AG’s Office is also working with a comprehensive initiative, “Small Business Strong,” which provides free guidance and expertise to small businesses facing a range of needs including, finance and accounting, human resources, marketing, operations, and legal assistance.  This initiative provides services in both English and Spanish. Small Business Strong is a public/private partnership organized by State Street Corporation, The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, McKinsey & Co., Bank of America, PwC, Foundation for Business Equity, The Boston Foundation, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Eastern Bank Nutter, McClennen & Fish LLP, and several other organizations throughout Massachusetts. The AG’s Office also joined the COVID Relief Coalition partnership to provide pro bono legal assistance to vulnerable small businesses. The Coalition’s intake form for small businesses to receive free legal services is available here.

In addition, the AG’s Office is gathering information about how small businesses have coped during the pandemic, what resources have been helpful, and whether small businesses have been subject to any unfair practices. If you are the owner of a small business in Massachusetts, please consider sharing your experiences by filling out the AGO’s Small Business Experience form.

Visit the AG’s COVID-19 resource page for information about how the AG’s Office can provide support during this crisis.

These matters are being handled by AG Healey’s Insurance and Financial Services Division.