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Boston Rental News

• December 27, 2010Mattapan
• December 24, 2010West Roxbury
• December 23, 2010Neponset
• December 22, 2010Milton
• December 21, 2010Roslindale

Help/Landlord FAQ's What is the Boston rental market like? When would be the best time to start my rental search? What should I bring when I visit rentals in Boston? What application fees should I expect to pay? What money will I need to put down when I want to rent a place? Do I need to pay extra for my pet? If I view an apartment but am not sure if I want it, what should I do? How much do I need to make to rent an apartment? I always get an answering machine when I call the managers, is this normal? Q: What is the Boston rental market like? The Boston rental market is filled with something for everyone, from small studio apartments to houses that are suitable for an entire family. Vacancies in the area fill fast so it's important to be prepared to act fast when you find a rental that you are interested in. Competition in the area varies but one thing's for certain – the Boston rental market fills fast. [back to FAQ's]   Q: When would be the best time to start my rental search? The best time to begin your rental search is when you decide that you want to (or have to) move into the area. You will usually have the best luck in finding the perfect Boston rental if you have at least a month to hunt for and view rentals in the area. As the actual moving day nears, you will want to assure that you physically look at many different Boston area rentals so that you can make your final decision. [back to FAQ's]   Q: What should I bring when I visit rentals in Boston? When you go to see a rental in the area you will want to make sure that you have your photo ID as well as any other paperwork that is requested in advance by the property manager. This may include bank statements or check stubs to show proof of income. It's best to also bring a camera with you so that you can make a photo log of the apartments that you view. This way you will be able to easily look back and make an informed decision on which apartment or house in Boston is going to be most suitable for you. [back to FAQ's]   Q: What application fees should I expect to pay? Many property managers in Boston will charge for a credit check and possibly also for a background screening. The fees for such screening can range from about $30 up to $100. Application fees are usually applied to your fist month's rent or security deposit if you are approved for the unit. Ask the property manager prior to viewing the apartment or house if there are any fees associated with applying for the unit. [back to FAQ's]   Q: What money will I need to put down when I want to rent a place? Most Boston rentals will require a minimum of one month's rent down as well as a security or damage deposit that is equal to at least one month's rent. Some property managers may ask for more than one month's rent for the security deposit so it's important to discuss move in rates and fees prior to applying for a unit. [back to FAQ's]   Q: Do I need to pay extra for my pet? You may be required to pay extra for your pet. This depends on the property manager and may range from a couple hundred dollars to a full month's rent. Pet deposits are charged in addition to the normal security or damage deposit and in many cases are non-refundable. Because pet deposits are strictly up to the property manager they are often negotiable. [back to FAQ's]   Q: If I view an apartment but am not sure if I want it, what should I do? The Boston rental market fills quickly so if you are interested in an apartment you should let the property manager know. Be wary of leaving any type of deposit for the property manager to hold the unit as this type of deposit is not returned if you change your mind and decide not to rent the unit. Property managers are under no legal obligation to hold a unit for you unless you have already applied for and signed a lease paying all required fees, deposits and the first month's rent. [back to FAQ's]   Q: How much do I need to make to rent an apartment? It's best to assure that the Boston rentals that you look at do not exceed 30% of your annual or monthly salary. For instance, if you make $3000 per month you would want to keep your maximum rent at about $900 per month to assure that you can maintain your monthly bills and expenses. [back to FAQ's]   Q: I always get an answering machine when I call the managers, is this normal? If you do not hear from a property manager for a day this is no big deal as property managers are very busy and usually manage more than one unit, however if you find that days go by and you do not receive a call back you must be prepared to move on and continue your search for other suitable rentals in Boston. [back to FAQ's]