Renter’s Guide
High Temperatures and High Humidity Expected, Beat the Heat!
Info + Tips and Tricks to Beat the Heat
Boston is amidst a serious heat-wave that is expected to last for a few more days. In Massachusetts, a heat wave is defined as three consecutive days with temperatures over 90 degrees. Alan Dunham, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Taunton, spoke regarding today saying, “It’s mainly just going to feel miserable.” A heat advisory is in effect for today, July 21st, from noon until 9 pm. Temperatures will be in the 90s, but combined with the high levels of humidity, the weather is expected to feel as if it’s 104; this will be 105 tomorrow.
Intense heat combined with high humidity can be more than just uncomfortable. It can be unhealthy. This combination of factors causes significantly higher than normal ozone levels in the air, which is not healthy for anyone. Those especially at risk are persons with asthma and other respiratory problems, children, and the elderly. People have been advised to check on senior citizens in their community throughout the day.
Beating the Heat:
Make sure to stay hydrated throughout the day. Your body cools itself down as perspiration (sweat) evaporates from the skin. When humidity is high, your perspiration evaporates at a much slower rate, making your natural cooling techniques much less efficient. Your body compensates by increasing perspiration, which can quickly dehydrate you. One should always try and stay hydrated, but during weather like this it is especially critical.
Stay cool. If you do not have air conditioning or access to a cool place, try seeking out one of Boston’s “cooling centers.” Mayor Tom Menino announced that Boston and some surrounding areas are keeping public pools open late and opening a series of cooling centers when people can refresh themselves.
Try a non-outdoor activity. Sure, you may feel guilty not enjoying the outdoors during the summer, but you do not have to feel guilty when the weather is like this! Try catching a movie or going to a museum. These activities almost always involve environment-controlled, air-conditioned spaces.
Still too hot? Maybe you need air conditioning or a cooler place, contact Phoenix Realty today!
Breaking a Rental Agreement Due to Unlivable Conditions
Finding the right Boston rental property can be a pretty overwhelming process. After a seemingly endless search for the perfect place, you think you’ve finally found a good fit. Then you meet with the landlord, sign a lease agreement, get your set of keys and before you know it… It’s move-in day. During the moving process you discover a few unpleasant surprises that you didn’t notice during the original tour – or maybe the living conditions have significantly deteriorated since you moved in due to circumstances out of your control. Now you want to break the rental lease as a result of the uninhabitable living conditions. How do you go about doing so? Here are some general tips for breaking a rental lease due to unlivable conditions:
- First you should research the minimum housing rental standards in your area of residence to prove that your property is unlivable.
- Take pictures of the living conditions which make your situation unlivable. Some reasonable conditions include toxic mold, infestation, holes in the ceiling or floor, flood or fire damage, etc.
- Set up a meeting with your landlord. Either bring him pictures or have him walk through your apartment. If there is time and your landlord is willing to correct the problem then you might not need to break the agreement.
- If your landlord disputes your complaint, have a third party – this person depends on the property code of your state – to check out your apartment and determine whether or not it is habitable. If this third party deems the property uninhabitable, your landlord must follow your specific state’s property code and let you out of your lease (a copy of your state’s property code can usually be found online).
- If your landlord still refuses to let you out of the lease agreement set up a meeting with your local housing authority for advice on how to get out of the lease. Make sure to bring the pictures of the unlivable conditions as well as a copy of your lease agreement.
- If you are still unable to completely break your lease agreement you may be able to reduce your rent payment until the uninhabitable living conditions are corrected.
To prevent against this exhausting process make sure to thoroughly examine your new apartment before signing any type of contract. Or better yet, hire a real estate agent to help with the search – contact an experienced Phoenix Realty agent to get your apartment search off on the right foot!
Featured Boston Apartments for Rent: Archstone Boston Common
Looking for a classy Boston Apartment?
Here’s a great find in a perfect location.
Spacious floor plans, high-ceilings, and private balconies are just the beginning of the class of Archstone Boston Common Apartments. We know you’ll find your perfect living experience with options for one and two bedroom rentals as well as studio apartments. Stainless steel kitchen appliances and granite vanities compliment the hardwood floors and wall-to-wall carpeting. A state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor pool, massage room, gaming parlor, and Click! Café Internet Lounge makes living the life easy. We should also mention the 24/7 front desk service!
Located in the Downtown Crossing area of Boston gives you access to ample public transportation, restaurants, and entertainment. You’re just a minutes’ walk away from the Boston Common, historic Boston sites such as the Old South Meeting House, and theaters such as the Charles Playhouse. These enticements make Archstone Boston Common a place where great Boston apartments are just waiting for you to discover.
This is a great example of the Boston Rental Properties we have available. Click here to view the listing or contact a Phoenix Realty agent to schedule a viewing.
Settling into Your First Apartment? Read this for some Useful Tips!
You’ve finally taken the ultimate step in independence, you’ve moved out of your parents’ house and into a new apartment all on your own, congratulations! This is a very exciting event, one that you should be proud of- and prepared for whether you’re moving into the college-student-friendly Allston, the prestigious Back Bay neighborhood, or the attraction-rich Fenway area. Here are a few helpful ways to make the entire process a smooth one.
1. Do Your Research
Before signing your lease or agreement, find out what, if any, utilities are included in each month’s rent. Basic expenses include water, electricity, and heat, and then there are the luxuries such as cable and Internet. Do some research beforehand to see the typical monthly cost of whatever neighborhood you want to live in and contact your cable/Internet provider to see if there is a cheaper package deal you can purchase. Another little hint: if you have a cell phone with adequate service, skip the land line cost altogether!
2. Create a personal budget.
How much will you be earning each month? How much are your bills going to be? Is your income going to cover your bills, food, and entertainment costs? Once you create a realistic budget, stick to it! Too often, many young people get so caught up in the excitement of their own place that they end up ignoring all the responsibility that comes with it and end up right back where they started- their parents’ house. You can avoid this by keeping your budget in sight, whether it’s posted on your fridge, set as a reminder on your computer, or written in a planner.
3. Don’t Waste Your Money
There are several things you can do to keep your apartment from becoming a money pit. Turn off lights, fans, televisions, etc after you leave a room to cut your electricity bill. If you’re not home during the day, lower the heat! Cover your windows with plastic during the winter months to keep the heat in and the cold draft out, and try to lower your water bill by turning off the faucet while you brush your teeth, filling the sink instead of letting it run while doing dishes, and keeping your showers short.
4. Furniture, Appliances, Lighting
Chances are your apartment will not come with furniture, appliances, and lighting, things that you wouldn’t normally have to worry about if you were still at home. Ask family members if they have any old furniture you could have or check out flea markets, yard sales, and secondhand stores for bargains, just be careful to inspect pre-owned furniture for unsightly rips/tears or more serious problems such as bedbugs. If there is no washer/dryer in your apartment, check to see if there is a communal laundry room or a nearby Laundromat. Find out if each room comes with lighting fixtures, and if they don’t purchase lamps to light the rooms that don’t.
5. Making Your Apartment a Home
Once you’ve covered everything else on the list, decorate! Before spending your hard-earned cash (remember your budget!) see if you have anything from home or college that you can use in your new apartment. Try adding frames to posters to create a neater look or filling your apartment with pictures to make it feel like home. Curtains can make a room something special, and they don’t have to be really expensive, you can even make them yourself!
While moving into a new apartment can be stressful, it should also be exciting. By spending your money wisely, doing your research, and dealing with responsibilities as they come, your new apartment should be ready in no time! Phoenix Realty has lots of great listings in the Boston area, so contact an agent today to schedule a viewing and find your new home!
Questions for Your Realtor!
Before you dive into renting or buying a Boston home, you need to examine the agent that will help you find it! Finding somewhere to live is one of the most important decision you will make, whether is be a luxury Back Bay condo or your first Boston college apartment. You must make sure to adopt a set of standards for the new Realtor, and with those standards must come well thought out questions to ask before you decide on one. Here are a few important questions to get you started!
What is your average list price-to-sell price ratio? When buying, you want a Realtor that can negotiate a lower sale price than listed and has a track record to prove it!
Do you have relationships with any of the area management companies? When renting, it is good to work with someone that can vouch for you to the management companies that own the Boston apartments you will be viewing.
What is your service charge? Getting this question out of the way right off the bat will help you avoid any surprises later.
Do you have any references that I can contact? You don’t actually have to contact any of those provided if you don’t feel that it’s necessary, but ensuring that the agent has them at all is a great indicator.
The best way to ensure that you’re working with the perfect Realtor is to choose an agency that has the assurance of experience and a proven track record of success. Phoenix Realty has a team of hand picked agents that are experts in selling, buying, brokering and renting Boston condos and apartments. Contact a Phoenix agent today to set up an appointment to find your dream Boston home.
Beware the Bait and Switch!
It is a well understood fact that apartment searching is often stressful. Because of its usability and ease of access, Craigslist is often a starting point for renters. When it works, this is a great way to start – as long as you keep your guard up and know what you are looking at. There are some brokers and agents that intentionally place misleading advertisements just to get you to call.
So the photos look amazing, the description sounds ideal and you can afford it – anyone would call! So you call the broker and he sets up an appointment to show you the place. When you meet up, he will tell you that your dream apartment was had been snatched up by someone else, but that he luckily had a few similar apartments to show you. These apartments will be smaller, more expensive, or slightly less desirable than the original. Assuming that were to happen, you will have witnessed the bait and switch. The bait and switch is often used to move undesirable apartments; it is rare that the realtor will have something “just like it” to show you.
We at Phoenix Realty have seen this tactic used on sites like Craigslist constantly – and it drives us nuts! When you are looking for your dream Boston apartment – whether it be a Back Bay condo or a Brookline home – you should be given the respect of knowing that what you see is what you get! We have compiled some tips to help you avoid the bait and switch by helping you identify bait apartments.
1. Analyze the photos. If the provided pictures are of apartments filled with modern, stunning furnishings, you are looking at a model apartment – not the real deal. This is probably the nicest apartment in the building and chances are it was rented eons ago. If the photos are of unfinished apartments, play a quick game of “find the inconsistency.”Are the windows different in what is meant to be the same room? Is the hardwood floor a different color or pattern in different shots? Does the layout seem to change? If you find any inconsistency like those, the broker may have just compiled the best images from a few different apartments just to get you to call.
2. Call and ask. Even if you think the photos are legit, still be sure to ask the agent directly when you call if the photos are from the actual, real life apartment. If he says that they are pictures of a typical apartment in the building, beware. Maybe he did not have a chance to get to the actual apartment and take photos, or maybe he is trying to bait and switch. Either way, use your best judgment and go with your gut.
3. Watch out for vague descriptions. If there are no photos at all, odds are it is not real or the agent has not been inside it. Vague adjectives (stunning, cozy, elegant, huge) are often thrown around on ads that lack photos. These ads can describe many Boston apartments – take care to ask for specifics when you call the phone number listed. Even asking for something as simple as the cross streets and interior descriptions will help you determine the legitimacy of the apartment.
The best way to ensure that you are working with a legitimate, honest real estate agency is to choose one with a great reputation. Browse our listings of Boston apartments for rent or contact us to begin the process of finding your dream apartment.
Know Your Tenant Rights!
After you make the decision to rent an apartment, there are some things you should be aware of in regards to your landlord! Sometimes new renters think that they are at the complete mercy of their landlord’s whims, and a landlord may try to take advantage of that. This is why you need to know that there are renting laws that can benefit and protect you as a tenant. Before you sign a lease, you need to know the basic tenant rights you are entitled to.
1. Renting laws restrict the amount of security deposit money a landlord can as for when you move in to your place. These laws vary state by state, but you can be sure that if you rent a Boston apartment you can only be asked to pay one month’s rent at the most. To get around this law, sometimes landlords will ask you to pay a pet deposit or a cleaning fee, but these are governed by laws of their own.The security deposit amount you are asked to pay has a limit.
2. Even if you really annoy them, your landlord can’t evict you in retaliation. This is especially important when it comes to things like asking for repairs, updates, or complaining about the apartment. If you complain constantly about a repair that hasn’t been completed, your landlord’s first instinct might just be to kick you out and save the trouble, but thankfully they can’t do anything like that. If the landlord tries to take you to court, “landlord retaliation” is a valid defense.
3. Your landlord has to keep your place livable! This may seem like a no-brainer, but just in case you don’t get along with your landlord it is important to know that laws require your apartment to be in livable condition. This means that if the pipes burst, they are required to fix it well and in a timely manner or else they get fined or worse. Most landlords care about their tenants and as such are willing to keep the apartments in good shape, but for the few that slip through – know that renting laws will keep your place in good shape.
4. Partial rent payment can stop an eviction. Because of renting laws, you can stop an eviction by paying a portion of your rent. So if you receive an eviction notice and they accept a portion of the rent due, they cannot successfully continue the eviction.
Phoenix Realty agents can help you find an apartment under the terms that best suit your needs. Contact us for help, or browse our online listings of Boston apartments and other Boston rental properties.
Renter Beware! The Top 3 Craigslist Apartment Rental Scams
Whether you’re searching for the perfect luxury Back Bay condo or your first post-freshman year Allston apartment, chances are you will probably start your search with a simple inquiry into the real estate section of Boston’s Craigslist. While this is an excellent way to start, there are a few scams that seem to be infesting the real listings for greater Boston apartments for rent.
The first scam is considered a ‘phishing’ scam, and begins with an advertisement that does not give out any name, property information, or any means of contact besides an email address. Upon inquiry, the renter is asked to fill out a “rental application” in order to receive more information. Rather than receiving any information, they end up supplying the scammer with personal information. Never give out any personal information to any so-called realtor over Craigslist. Any licensed Boston realtor will be more than happy to meet in person and discuss Boston apartments for rent without requiring a pre-emptive application.
The second scam can usually be spotted easily; just look for an absurdly low, “too-good-to-be-true” rental price. The basis of this scam is to con the renter into buying a supposed list of similarly priced Boston apartments. Once the potential renter pays for the list, they receive a phony list of fake Boston apartment listings and fake Boston addresses. Never pay for any list of properties, no matter how vehemently the poster promises to deliver. Any address, no matter what kind of Boston realty property you’re looking for, can be easily looked up. No Boston realtor has an “exclusive list” that needs to be paid for, so make sure never to fall for this one!
The last scam will begin with a full home for rent. The advertisement may seem reasonable (the price probably won’t be dropped suspiciously low), but the actual scam is far from it. This scam is actually a ploy to rent a home that is pending foreclosure. The scammer will pocket the money given by the prospective renters without paying their mortgage off. As soon as the foreclosure proceedings are finalized, the victims will be evicted. This scam is a bit trickier to spot right away, but in order to avoid it, make sure you only work with a license real estate agent. You can also research the supposed address and inquire as to its status.
Craigslist offers the following advice as means to avoid scams on their website:
· Trust your instincts
· Deal only with local buyers and sellers
· NEVER wire funds to a distant buyer, via Western Union or any other carrier
· Be wary if the other party wants to use an escrow service like Squaretrade, or even PayPal
· NEVER give out personal info (eBay or PayPal info, checking account number, SSN, etc.)
· always remember the most important rule — BUYER BEWARE
Phoenix Realty can help you find an apartment under the terms that best suit your needs. Contact us for help, or browse our online listings of Boston apartments and other Boston rental properties.
Is a Brookline Apartment for You?
Neighborhood Spotlight: Brookline
Despite being less than a mile from the cultural and economic center of Boston, Brookline has managed to retain a distinct identity of its own. With an eclectic blend of students, young professionals and families, Brookline is rich with culture and familiarity. Ranging from detailed brick complexes along Beacon Street to remodeled Victorian multifamily homes in quiet side streets, Brookline is said to offer a unique experience of living both in the city and the country. Many Brookline apartments are filled with the academic and scientific professionals who work in the nearby colleges (Wentworth, Simmons, Mass Art, Wheelock, NEIA, BU and BC campuses all border Brookline) and medical centers of Longwood Ave.
While mostly residential, Brookline has a few centers of burgeoning commercial interest. Most of the more coveted apartments in Brookline surround the two main business centers of the town: Coolidge Corner and Brookline Village. Each offers unique restaurants and coffee houses surrounded by well kept parks and store fronts. The apartments closest to these two areas often are a bit pricier and harder to come by, not only due to the draw of the commerce but also because those areas are most easily accessed by public transportation.
Centered mostly around the corner of Beacon St. and Harvard St., Coolidge Corner is peppered with independent boutiques, coffee shops, and award-winning eateries. From the Paris Creperie (made-to-order authentic crepes, Nutella frozen hot chocolate – delicious!) to Zaftig’s Delicatessen (a more modern spin on traditional Jewish deli fare), no Coolidge resident will ever have to want for delicious, unique food. The Coolidge Corner Theatre also draws attraction from all over the city. The Coolidge is the only operating not-for-profit Art Deco theatre in the Boston area and is one of the top ten art house film exhibition theaters in the country.
Brookline Village
The Village, as it is known to residents, has somehow managed to maintain the feel of a traditional village, divergent to most Boston neighborhoods. Known for quiet cafés and antique shops, Brookline Village is inviting and familiar. Apartments in Brookline Village would be ideal if you enjoy knowing your barista by name and having the café owner know yours. Brookline Village apartments typically fan out from the corner of Harvard St. and Washington St. The restaurants are typically cozy and filled with fresh, hearty fares. La Morra, a rustic Italian eatery in the Village, features a seasonal menu that revolves around a wood grill for preparing meats, local fish and locally farmed vegetables. Down the street, Matt Murphy’s Pub is usually packed with regulars lined up to eat the traditional Irish fare (including fish and chips wrapped in newspaper with homemade ketchup).
It’s cozy charm and well groomed streets make Brookline one of the prettiest suburbs of Boston. While the rent may be higher than nearby Allston apartments and Brighton homes, a Brookline apartment offers a great balance between the luxury of Back Bay apartments and the charm of a suburban neighborhood.
Sound like the right neighborhood for you? View our online listings of Brookline, MA apartments or contact a Phoenix Realty agent to inquire about other Brookline real estate properties.
Boston Tenancies Explained
Understanding Boston apartments for rent is easy: there are basically two distinct types of tenancies in Massachusetts. These are a lease and a tenancy at will.
The common misconception for both parties is that leases are better for landlords and tenancies-at-will are better for tenants. However, this isn’t always the case. Which is better depends on the needs of each party in terms of stability, predictability, and flexibility, as the terms and conditions of both a lease or a tenancy-at-will can be negotiated between the tenant and leasing landlord.
(*Except in the case of units receiving state or federal subsidy, in which case the lease must be made for at least one year.)
Written Fixed Lease Differences
A lease can be:
- For a fixed term of tenancy (one year on average). A tenancy-at-will is from month to month.
- Terminated during the term determined by the lease, and only for reasons listed in the lease. A tenancy-at-will can be terminated without any reason.
- Used to define a specific fixed monthly rent, but can also allow for rent increases when it not specified in the lease. For tenant-at-will, the landlord can increase the rent upon giving notice one rental period in advance.
Basics of Tenancy at Will
A tenancy-at-will for a Boston rental property can be a written agreement, oral, or by the actions of the landlord and tenant. For example, the landlord or the landlord’s agent accepting rent from the tenant. The best method of Tenancy at will is obviously to have any rental agreement in writing.
Whatever transpires between the landlord and tenant parties creates a contract. This means that both parties have to agree on the essential terms of the contract, which includes the amount of rent to be charged / paid, the total term of the tenancy, and what items are included in the tenancy. These terms cannot be modified or changed without the consent of both the landlord and the tenant.
It is common for landlords to wrongly assume that the rent for a tenancy at will can be increased soley by action on the landlord’s part, in the form of giving a rent increase notice. But this isn’t true: as with any other contract, the tenant must agree to the changes, by either expression or action. However, if the tenant does not agree with the rent increase, the landlord could threaten to or actually terminate the tenancy.
Terms and Terminations
The term specifics of tenancies at will are usually on a month to month basis. Unlike a lease, a tenancy at will can be terminated by the Boston property management for any lawful reason. This is called a “no fault” eviction.
The period required for termination for a tenancy at will is often determined by frequency of the rental payment. If the rent payment is monthly, then both the landlord or the tenant can terminate the agreement by giving a valid thirty-day notice. If the rent is paid less frequently, like once every six months, then the required termination period will be equal to that rent payment period.
Now that you’re in the know about rental terms, contact Phoenix Realty to get started on your Boston apartment search, or to list your Boston apartment!
Read the full source article on Leases and Tenancies at Will from boston.com.
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