Moving in 2 weeks-- zero luck finding an apartment that allows a three year old child and a small dog! (Boston: apartment complex, rental)

[pumpkin114]

I posted here about a month ago and received some wonderful advice on where we could live that would be good for commuting to both Bedford and Boston and near public transportation under $2200 (2BR). My husband has since visited and narrowed our search to Waltham, Watertown, Belmont, and Medford. (Maybe Somerville, Salem)

We are quickly learning that finding an apartment is tougher than we thought, which we expected to be challenging but not impossible.

When my husband visited and attempted to contact at least 25 properties (probably more) he was most often met with "The lead status is unknown, we will not rent to tenants under 6 years old". I've read online (mostly forums) that this is somewhat wrong, that an "unknown" lead status is alright to rent to children, but it would open the door for us to request they test lead status and force them to de-lead if found. We honestly are not worried about lead paint as long as its not chipping like crazy, but I understand the landlords financial concern.

Adding to the mix that we have a small (<25lbs, mature and well behaved) dog and we've found ourselves extremely limited, only found two properties so far that would accept children and dogs (everywhere is cats only) and both went with other applicants despite ours being first in.

Adding to that, we are now looking at renting without being able to view the property as we're in the midwest.

My husband and I have excellent credit (low 800's), the savings to put down first month, last month, security, broker fees + an extra pet deposit and perfect rental history and references but doors keep shutting on us.

I'm wondering what we can do, if anything, to better our chances. We're the kind of people that see our dog as family, but our parents have offered to take her for a year. We tried including larger 1BR's which we could totally make work for us but everywhere has told us not possible with 3 people. We'll be there in August but widened to Sept 1st leases. We've offered parents as extra guarantors since we are moving on one income if that is their concern.

If you've read all that, thank you. I'm not sure if I'm just venting or looking for someone to say "Yep, welcome to Boston, that's what you should expect" haha.

[timberline742]

You're looking in places that often rent to the first person that sees a place, and where they can be super picky. It might help to look a little further out, Woburn, Burlington, etc

[alidmc]

If you are considering Salem, I would take a look at this place flats131.com. This is a brand new apartment complex just North of Salem in Beverly. Your husband can walk to the commuter rail and it is right in downtown Beverly with many parks, beaches and other amenities nearby. Best of all, it has two bedrooms in your budget and allows pets. One thing to note if you are moving in two weeks- the commuter rail line has bus replacement north if Salem until August 13th.

[Boston_Burbs]

https://www.princetonproperties.com/...eton-crossing/

We lived here for a few months between houses and were very pleased. They are built in the 1970's on (you still have sign a lead form) but they do have a dog building. Free parking, heat included, short walk to downtown Salem/Train. There is also a bus that goes into Haymarket on the street.

Maybe look at other princeton properties too? I always liked renting from a managed complex vs. a multi family.

[Dm84]

What you're experiencing is illegal discrimination. Don't mention that you have kids until you're signing the lease.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Dm84

What you're experiencing is illegal discrimination. Don't mention that you have kids until you're signing the lease.

Yeah, I was wondering why they were bringing that up when calling too.

[Whatsnext75]

So then when you go to sign the lease you say suprise we have a 3 yr old now you have to pay to make sure the place is deleaded?

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

So then when you go to sign the lease you say suprise we have a 3 yr old now you have to pay to make sure the place is deleaded?

Yes.

[tysmith95]

I wouldn't want to do a Salem to Bedford commute every day. I'd scratch that off your list unless you're ok with a long commute.

[karen_in_nh_2012]

I thought it was illegal for LLs to discriminate against families with kids? I am flabbergasted that they flat-out say they won't rent to anyone under 6?

Just did a quick search and found this: Lead Paint and Discrimination . It's from the official Massachusetts government web site and is dated 2017. From how it describes the law, LLs are clearly discriminating against the OP's family.

Having said that: it's probably moot since they could say they are refusing to rent because of the dog.