The Massachusetts Fair Housing Law (M.G.L. c. 151B) prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, ancestry, veteran status, familial status, disability, or receipt of public assistance. Asking about a tenant’s place of birth could reveal information about national origin or ancestry, which are protected classes under both state and federal fair housing law.

By contrast, landlords and brokers are legally permitted to verify income and occupation to determine financial qualifications, and Massachusetts law also permits certain criminal history checks in compliance with state and federal guidelines. However, questioning applicants about their place of birth is directly discriminatory and unlawful.

Under 254 CMR 3.10, all deposit money received by a salesperson must be immediately turned over to the salesperson’s broker for deposit into the escrow account. It is the broker's responsibility to ensure that the funds are properly held and protected, not the salesperson's.

The rule is clear that the funds should be handed over immediately. Any delay in submitting the funds to the broker could violate escrow rules and could result in disciplinary action.

In Massachusetts, active real estate licensees are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education (CE) during the two-year period prior to their license renewal. This education is essential to ensure that real estate professionals stay updated on industry changes, including legal updates, ethical practices, and the latest regulations.

Among the 12 hours, 3 hours must be focused on the legal aspects of real estate, while the remaining 9 hours can be chosen from various real estate topics, such as ethics, property management, or fair housing laws.

Thus, the correct answer is that six hours are required for continuing education, not 4, 12, or 16.

The Massachusetts Real Estate License Law (M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 87PP–87DDD) applies to anyone who engages in the business of buying, selling, leasing, or negotiating real estate transactions for a fee, commission, or other valuable consideration, unless specifically exempt.

Exemptions include:

Regular salaried employees of property owners who lease or manage property owned by their employer (no license needed).

Salespersons selling their own primary residence (no license needed, as owners always may sell their own property).

Referrals: A licensed person may receive compensation, but unlicensed referral fees are prohibited.

A property manager who handles sales of units (not just leasing or maintenance) is engaged in brokerage activities requiring a license. Therefore, the Real Estate License Law applies in this case.

A facilitator is a neutral party who assists both the buyer and the seller in a real estate transaction but does not have the agency responsibilities of an agent. Facilitators do not represent either party (seller or buyer) and do not owe fiduciary duties to either. The role of a facilitator is limited to helping both parties complete the transaction by providing guidance on the process, preparing documents, and ensuring that all procedural steps are followed.

Unlike agents, facilitators are not required to disclose confidential information or negotiate on behalf of either party. Their primary function is to assist with the logistics of the transaction without representing one party’s interests over the other.

In Massachusetts, real estate licensees may act as agents (seller’s agent, buyer’s agent, or dual agent) or as a facilitator (non-agent). Agency relationships impose fiduciary duties, including confidentiality, loyalty, and full disclosure.

A facilitator, however, does not represent either party as an agent. Instead, the facilitator assists both parties with paperwork and transaction logistics but owes no fiduciary duty of confidentiality or loyalty. The facilitator must treat all parties honestly and fairly but cannot favor one side over the other.

Therefore, confidentiality applies in seller, buyer, and dual agency, but not in facilitator relationships.

Under M.G.L. c. 112, § 87DDD½, Massachusetts law requires real estate brokers and salespersons engaged in renting residential property to provide prospective tenants with a written notice stating the amount of any broker’s fee, and whether the tenant will be responsible for paying it. This disclosure must be made before the tenant is obligated to pay any fee.

This law protects tenants from unexpected costs and ensures transparency in rental transactions. While rental amount, landlord details, and public information such as the state’s sex offender registry may be relevant, the statutory requirement specifically addresses broker compensation. Failure to provide this written notice may result in disciplinary action by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons.

The Massachusetts Fair Housing Law (M.G.L. c. 151B) prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, disability, and receipt of public assistance.

This includes protection for individuals who are recipients of public assistance (e.g., Section 8 housing voucher recipients). Sex offenders, students, and smokers are not protected classes under the law. While landlords can regulate smoking and may have policies on students or criminal history, they cannot discriminate based on receipt of public assistance, which is a specifically protected category under Massachusetts law.

In Massachusetts, licensee relationship disclosure is governed by M.G.L. c. 112, § 87AAA and 254 CMR 3.00. State law requires that real estate agents disclose their agency relationship to prospective buyers and sellers at the first personal meeting to discuss a specific property. This requirement is primarily intended for residential transactions involving one- to four-family properties.

This disclosure clarifies whether the agent represents the seller, the buyer, or is functioning in another capacity (such as a facilitator). It ensures that consumers are fully informed about where the licensee’s loyalty lies before substantive discussions occur.

The law does not require agency disclosure for mere inquiries (phone or internet), for general real estate discussions, or for commercial property listings. The specific trigger is the first personal meeting to discuss a specific single-family property.

Under Massachusetts law (specifically M.G.L. c. 183A), tenants in properties being converted to condominiums are given the right of first refusal to purchase the unit they occupy. The offer must be made at terms that are equal to or better than those offered to the general public.

This ensures that tenants have the opportunity to buy their units at the same price or better terms than any outside buyers. This protection allows tenants the chance to remain in their homes as owners, rather than being displaced.

The law does not stipulate that the unit must be offered at a discount (such as 20% or 15% off); rather, the terms must be equal or more favorable than those available to others.