Questions to Ask Your Potential Landlord

Review the questions below to understand what kind of information you should look for throughout your housing search.

What utilities are included with the rent?

As discussed above, this can vary from building to building. If the heat is included in the rent it often means there is only one thermostat for the building and you may not be able to control the temperature of your apartment. It will be helpful to understand what temperature the landlord keeps the building at during the winter months.

Is there laundry in the unit/building?

It is not a given that your apartment or building will have a washer and dryer available for your use. Many neighborhoods have laundromats and wash/dry/fold services that will pick-up and drop-off your laundry for you.

Is there an after-hours contact for emergencies?

You should understand who you should call after normal business hours. This may be your landlord's home number, a property manager, a maintenance person, or an answering service. What cleaning, painting, and/or renovations (if any) will be done prior to my move-in and will this affect my move-in date? If the landlord has agreed to make any improvements to the apartment, make sure to get the agreement in writing. The September 1st turnover often means that the landlord only has a couple hours between the former tenants moving out and the new tenants moving in. You may need to consider moving in after the 1st of the month should the apartment need to be painted or renovated.

Is there additional storage available?

It is not common to find storage areas/lockers in Boston apartments. If you own a bike, you should ask if there is a common area that you may store your bike in. Some landlords do not allow bicycles in common areas or to be parked in front of the building.

Have there been any rodent/bug problems in the building?

It is not uncommon for buildings to have rodents in Boston. It is important to understand if there is an exterminator who regularly checks the building and/or is available to come to the building should a problem arise.

What is your pet policy?

If you own a pet or are planning to get one, it is necessary to understand the landlord's pet policy and have it in writing. Do not assume that pets are allowed just because you see one in the apartment or building when you see it. You do not want to be put in the position of having to move-out or get rid of your pet because the landlord does not approve.

Why are the current tenants leaving?

With many colleges and universities, Boston is a transient city and tenants move for a variety of reasons. However, having a conversation with the current tenants can be very helpful in understanding if there are any misrepresentations about the building or apartment.

Additionally, review the guide below for more questions to ask before you commit to an apartment. You can also click here to learn more about what questions to ask before signing a lease.

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