Utilities Not Included

Addendum   An addendum is an additional document not included in the main part of the lease.  An addendum contains specific "extra" rules and regulations specific to a particular unit.  Addendum's often spell out restrictions on number of guests, water furniture, smoking, kegs, and parking.  Agent Fee   An agent's fee, also known as a finder's fee, can only be a maximum of one month's rent (and in this market, it will be one month's rent).  The fee is for the agent's services, such as marketing and showing the property and managing paperwork.  If you rent directly from a landlord, they cannot charge a fee, even if your landlord also happens to be a real estate agent. Amenities   Amenities are desirable or useful features of an apartment, often raising its value and cost.  Examples of amenities include air conditioning, granite counter tops, access to transportation, parking, square footage, sunlight, pleasant views, storage space...

Tenant Responsibilities Pay rent on time  Follow all terms agreed upon in the lease Document and photograph property upon move-in Note any existing damages and provide a copy to your landlord Put all trash and recyclables appropriate containers for trash collection Treat the property and neighborhood with respect Do not intentionally damage the property Report any ongoing problems with the property in a timely manner Clean the apartment prior to moving out, do not leave trash on public property Landlord Responsibilities Provide a clean and habitable unit upon tenant move-in Make repairs in a timely manner Take appropriate measures to keep the apartment pest free Provide water at no cost to the tenant (unless the water is separately metered) Cannot terminate the tenancy or raise the rent in response to the tenant exercising legal rights Keep all doors and windows in good working condition Provide two exits per unit Provide working smoke and carbon m...

Federal and state anti-discrimination laws limit what landlords can say and do in the tenant selection process.  Essentially, landlords are free to choose among prospective tenants as long as all the tenants are evaluated more or less equally.  For example, a landlord can refuse to rent to a smoker or a college student as long as this no smoking or no student policy applies to all tenants. Some Permissible Reasons for Rejecting Tenants: Poor credit, as you may be unable to pay rent Insufficient income to pay the rent Negative references Previous eviction lawsuits Conviction of a criminal offense Current illegal behavior, such as drug use Inability to meet terms of the lease More people than landlord wants in unit Untruthful responses on the rental application

Most street parking in Boston is "Resident Parking Only," meaning that you need to prove your residency and a valid automobile registration showing your car registered and principally garaged in your name from you Boston address to be eligible for a resident parking sticker.  This strict parking policy is designed to give residents a better chance of finding an on-street parking space in their neighborhoods.  A small number of street parking spaces are posted as "Visitor Parking" areas for the guests of neighborhoods residents.  For more information on Boston's parking program, or to apply for a resident sticker, visit cityofboston.gov/parking .

Did the City miss a curbside pickup?  Is there an annoying pothole on your street?  Do you need to pay a parking ticket?  Need to contact Boston Inspectional Services?  311 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects you with highly-trained Constituent Service Center representatives who are ready to help you with requests for non-emergency City services and information. The 311 Constituent Service Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  There are several ways Residents can request city services other than calling 311.  Residents are encouraged to download the BOS:311 mobile app, Tweet @BOS311 , or visit the 311 website.

Landlord Issues    Some landlord issues include "right of entry" violations, failure to properly manage the security deposit, failure to return the security deposit, overbearing behavior or calls, or refusal to return phone calls.   Who Ya Gonna Call ?  In these situations, the best place to call is the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office .  The Attorney General's Office is a great resource for offering suggestions and information about tenant rights and landlord-tenant law. Property Concerns   Property issues may include chronic maintenance issues such as problems with heat, hot water, or leaking pipes.  Other issues may involve broken locks, missing life safety devices, or overcrowding.   Who Ya Gonna Call?  Every city and town has an Inspectional Services Department responsible for regulating the state sanitary code and ensuring safe living conditions for tenants.  For property concerns, try to work it out ...