We wanted to make sure you know that in Massachusetts there is a rent deduction available to you on your Massachusetts income tax. Your tax preparer should be aware of this, but please look into it if you do your own taxes. You should get every deduction you can get

Is it Massachusetts Law that my landlord has to give 24 hours notice to enter my apartment to show it?

NO. Landlords ( or their agents) are NOT required to give any notice to enter your apartment for 3 reasons: Repairs, Inspections and Showing his/her property to prospective tenants, and that is in the standard RHA lease. Most Landlords and their agents will give as much notice as possible out of courtesy, but their is no law requiring ANY notice.

When should I look for my apartment in J.P.?

If you live in Allston or Fenway you may feel pressured because your Landlord requires such early notice. That is because in traditionally student neighborhoods, many students leaving the dorms need to find a place before they leave for their summer break. Also, students know when their school is over and whether they will be leaving. BUT don't worry! You will find that in Jamaica Plain, listings come in for September starting as early as february , but MOSTLY in June, July and even some in August .

For June first, another BIG turnover time in Jamaica Plain, listings come in from March , April and May. The rest of the year is pretty much the month before a lease is up.

If my roommate moves out, why do I have to pay all the rent?

Unless you live in a rooming house, an apartment is rented as the whole apartment, not different rooms. The term joint & severally means the apartment is rented by you and your roommates together AND separately. If your roommate moves out,you and he are still responsible for the rent, but if you are living there, you MUST pay the rent for the apartment by yourself. You can always go after your roommate in small claims court later for his share, but you must honor the contract you signed. Pick your roommates carefully!

How can I protect myself from a bad roommate situation?

If you apply for an apartment together, make sure you all have good credit or co-signers.That way , if a bad situation happens, your roommates parents are on the hook as well as you and your parents, not just you and your parents. We have situations where one roommate may have poor credit or no credit, and we ask ALL the roommates to supply co-signers. It may feel unfair at the time, but it is the most fair way to make sure no ones parents get stuck!

If I lose a roommate what should I do?

By all means, tell your landlord your situation and find a new roommate. JP Licks has a community bullitin board and Craigs List.com or BostonApartments.com always has ads. Schools are a good place, and Hospitals, to place flyers. BUT make sure you have your new roommate fill out an application and give it to your landlord. He should get a credit check done to protect you and him from a bad situation. We will help you for a $25 fee per application. Then, you should put your new roommate on the lease. We do this all the time for landlords and tenants. Better safe than sorry. Most landlords are very understanding about these situations, but you must pay your rent. If you have to move, please give us or your landlord time to re-rent the apartment. That is the only way you can be free of your contract, and we usually get a new tenant in no time!

if you have questions, Contact us and we will be happy to try and answer them for you