First + Last + Security + Fee

[skydiveintohell]

Renting - Mass.Gov (http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=mg2subtopic&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Resident&L2=Hou sing&L3=Renting&sid=massgov2 - broken link)

A good resource for both renters and landlords in MA

[BriInNH]

Originally Posted by Cantabridgienne

But broker fees don't fall under the illegal category, because the landlord doesn't chage a broker fee--the broker does. When a broker shows you an apartment, you pay the fee to the broker. You pay the first, last and security to the landlord.

"Bottom line: fees- typically a way for landlords to take renters money with no recourse after moving out, therefore illegal."

landlords, not brokers.

[Highwyre237]

Originally Posted by BriInNH

"Bottom line: fees- typically a way for landlords to take renters money with no recourse after moving out, therefore illegal."

landlords, not brokers.

yep, I was talking about Brokers Fees, sometimes the landlord will pony up and cover the fee, which, in my opinion, makes more sense. But, someone in boston decided to start a wonderful trend where the renter would get screwed as often as possible. I really cant wait to be able to afford to buy something, I'm tired of renting... Throwing away money on rent and crazy fees. But, being a 25 year old, and trying to save, while living in boston, with student loans and other debt isnt the easiest thing in the world....

[BriInNH]

Originally Posted by Highwyre237

yep, I was talking about Brokers Fees, sometimes the landlord will pony up and cover the fee, which, in my opinion, makes more sense. But, someone in boston decided to start a wonderful trend where the renter would get screwed as often as possible. I really cant wait to be able to afford to buy something, I'm tired of renting... Throwing away money on rent and crazy fees. But, being a 25 year old, and trying to save, while living in boston, with student loans and other debt isnt the easiest thing in the world....

I'm sorry, I didn't read that, an oversight. This is why I bought a house this past December despite barely affording it. After renting for 6 years in the Boston area, the steepening prices (housing prices drop, rent prices go up) and less for more was too much to take.

I was attempted to be screwed several times as well, by landlords and roomates....one landlord actually had to audacity to threaten to take me to court for not paying last months rent while he held my security and was goign to steal it! Landlords son actually tipped me off about how this guy stole past renters security deposits. The entire lease that was signed contained illegal language, plus the neighbors upstairs brought in a large dog into a 1 bedroom apartment! While that same type of dog was not allowed , by contract, downstairs in a two bedroom!

I told landlord to go ahead and bring it to court, we were moving out, tough **** about your last month. and he ended up slithered away with nothing being all-talk.

[NEOhioBound]

Originally Posted by BriInNH

In Massachusetts, it is illegal for anyone to charge a renter more than FIRST, LAST, SECURITY. Any added "fee" is illegal, grounds to terminate a lease in a court of law, and that lease is likely cluttered with other illegal language items. Any "security" deposit , along with last months rent, can not be valued as more than one month of rent, must be held in an interest bearing account (along with last months rent) and must be available to show where the renters money is being held at any time.

Bottom line: fees- typically a way for landlords to take renters money with no recourse after moving out, therefore illegal.

Thanks for the info. This will come in handy when looking for places to rent to make sure we arent being taken.

[nomore07]

In many parts of the country, apartment complexes charge a deposit ranging from $50-$150 which is used to purchase a surety bond. A tenant pays the first month along with the deposit and that's it. Many complexes will require renter's insurance, but that is fairly cheap if purchased through the same company as your auto insurance.

Between these two solutions, a renter rarely pays more than a month and a half of rent to move in. Deposit disputes and ripoffs are reduced and damages are covered by the renter's policy. If a prospective tenant has any past damages or owes another property, it will turn up in the screening.

Moving expenses and utilities are costly enough without adding a list of "one month of this, one month of that...".

What’s a Surety Bond? | Oh My Apartment