'Landlords and Leases' seminar

Landlords in the Springfield area who might want some tips on how to deal with troublesome tenants are invited to a seminar Wednesday morning in downtown Springfield.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20121126/NEWS02/711269941

Southern Vermont “Landlords and Leases” seminar in Springfield By Susan Smallheer Rutland Herald Staff Writer | November 26,2012 SPRINGFIELD — Landlords in the Springfield area who might want some tips on how to deal with troublesome tenants are invited to a seminar Wednesday morning in downtown Springfield. The Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the two-hour session, which will include a presentation by Springfield attorney Ethan McNaughton, a member of the chamber. The need for such a seminar came up during a recent Springfield Select Board meeting during a discussion about the recent wave of drug crime in the town. Several people, including board members, said landlords often had their hands tied, particularly if they didn’t have a lease with their tenants. Jennifer Petersson, the executive director of the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce, said Friday that the seminar was free and open to landlords in the region. The town has undertaken various efforts to address crime and drug problems since a downtown shooting on July 9, when a Springfield man, Terrick Craft, attempted to murder another Springfield man, police say, over a dispute about gang membership. Craft, who moved to Springfield in 2009, was recently the subject of a bail hearing, in which recorded telephone conversations Craft had with an unidentified person about the town of Springfield took center stage. Petersson said it’s not just Springfield that is coping with the problem. She said she received a call from the Bellows Falls chamber about whether landlords could attend, and she said they would also be welcome. “It had come up on how the town could be pro-active about problematic tenants,” said Petersson. “We’ve got a very enthusiastic response,” Petersson said about the seminar. The seminar will be held from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday, at the First Congregational Church, located at 77 Main St. in Springfield. McNaughton, who works for the George W. Lamb law firm in downtown Springfield, will talk about the current issues facing the town and how it affects landlords, including screening mechanisms that would help landlords identify good tenants. He will also talk about what information to obtain in advance of signing leases to assist in eviction should it become necessary. McNaughton, who was at the Select Board meeting when the issue first came up, said that he spends a lot of his professional time on landlord-tenant issues. He will also present information regarding current law, and what is required of landlords and tenants, and common pitfalls to avoid. Petersson said there would be time for questions and answers and that light refreshments will be provided by Apron Strings Cafe and the Congregational Church. Petersson said that about 20 landlords and interested people have signed up for the seminar so far, She said the chamber had sent out invitations to about 65 area landlords. People interested in attending the session should call the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce at 885-2779, or email at SRCOCinfo@vermontel.net.