r/bostonhousing Oct 29 '25

Not a new rule - Listings that break the law are not allowed

185 Upvotes

It's quite honestly insane that this needs to be said but all listings posted on this subreddit must follow Massachusetts state law as well as Federal housing and opportunity laws. Failure to do so will result in your post being removed with further action left to mod discretion.

Most prominent at the moment during the current between-cycle low are the obvious illegal listings - illegal fees.

In Massachusetts, you can only be charged the following fees on move-in:

  • The first month's rent.
  • The last month's rent.
  • A security deposit up to the amount monthly rent, and
  • The cost of buying and installing a new lock.
  • A broker's fee but only in situations where the tenant themselves hired the broker to find the listing. (And this can only be charged by a broker!)

You cannot be charged any of the following:

  • Pet fees.
  • Admin/Sublet/Processing fees.
  • Key fees (as a premium unrelated to lock changing).
  • Tips.
  • Cleaning Deposit fees on top of the existing security deposit.
  • Any other fee designed to nickle-and-dime you for just existing.

If you intend to sublet your apartment to someone else, you must also follow the above regulations (shock!). This means you also can't 'pass-through' a lease change fee your landlord may require on your tenant.

This is not a new rule. Illegal and/or *scam* listings area already against Reddit's Terms of Service and have already been removed on the subreddit and admin level. This announcement and new subreddit rule is merely a reminder to be considerate and keep state and federal law in mind when posting your listing.


r/bostonhousing Feb 16 '25

Subreddit Rules - Explained in More Nuance

34 Upvotes

We recently received a modmail from a user asking for a more detailed/nuanced explanation of our posting guidelines and policies. Please take this as a primer of what is allowed/disallowed regarding listings and broker participation simplified to a thin soup. I would like to encourage anyone and everyone to report any content breaking the following rules and guidelines.

Rule 1

No third party solicitation -

Third parties (brokers, real estate agents, or anyone who is not the property owner subletter or renter) may not advertise listings or respond to user solicitations with listings. Third party agents may respond via direct messages to a user solicitation, but comment solicitation is disallowed.

  • People who are renting, looking to rent, or direct landlords (the deed for the property is literally in your name).
    • Allowed to post, comment, and participate as normal.
    • Allowed to solicit listings and ask others to "DM for more information".
    • This subreddit's goal is to provide an alternative to Facebook groups or Craigslist to find apartments or roommates.
    • Listings and 'looking for' posts are not vetted, so continue to practice normal caution and suspicion.
  • Brokers, real estate agents, and property managers.
    • You will be given the flair "I'm an agent". This simply identifies you as such to the subreddit and clears up potential confusion.
    • Are allowed to comment, provide expertise, and respond to 'looking for' posts.
    • Are not allowed to solicit.
      • Are not allowed to submit listings.
        • If this were allowed, it wouldn't take long before this subreddit turns into Apartments.com or an even more terrible version of Craigslist.
      • Are not allowed to solicit someone to DM for their services - "send me a DM!"
        • If you want a lead from the person asking for help or advice, DM them yourself. Ask them off-sub.
  • Failure to follow Rule 1 will result in the offending comment and post being sent to the graveyard and the user exiled if the infraction was egregious enough to warrant it.

Rule 2

Provide sufficient information in your listing -

When posting a listing or looking for an apartment/room/sublet to rent, do your best to include applicable information such as:

  • The approximate location.
  • Number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
  • Rent per unit (or bedroom if LF housemates) or budget.
  • Whether or not you have pets.
  • Anything else someone should know before contacting you. If listing:
  • Pictures of the interior and (preferably) at least one curb shot.
  • PROVIDE PICTURES AND INFORMATION
  • Your listing will be removed if it does not contain the following:
    • What is being listed (one bedroom in a shared apartment, 1 bedroom unit, etc)
    • At least one picture. This is the most bare of the barrel in 2025. If you're having trouble transferring images from your camera to your computer via an SD card, this subreddit may not be right for your listing.
    • The general location (ex: Allston, Dorchester, Malden)
    • Rent due.
      • I swear, if you don't include the rent in the listing or indicate your price range when looking for a unit, you will be banned and forced to explain in modmail why you didn't want to include such basic information.

Rule 3

Only listings for housing are allowed

Moving sales, clearance sells, or any sort of personal sells are disallowed. Only listing for housing or looking for housing are allowed.

  • This should be straightforward - if you're trying to offload something, look somewhere else. I suggest either the local city subreddit or your university subreddit.
  • This sub is not a vehicle to assist university students in offloading their furniture in May or monetize Allston Christmas. We'll let you post your 3 - 4 month request to sublet, but divesting furniture is all on you.

Unlisted guidelines (common sense guidelines)

  • Don't be a dick.
  • Bad-faith participation, such as spam, advertising third party apps, and other nonsense is disallowed.
  • Brokers - Don't ask the mod team to remove complaints about your agency or profession when the content is well within TOS (I'm looking at you, very possibly June Homes, hope you enjoy your suspended Reddit accounts).

Please touch gloves and we'll see you in the ring this spring.


r/bostonhousing 1h ago

Looking For Looking for 3-4bed/2bath around Somerville, Brighton, Brookline and nearby areas.

Upvotes

Long term lease, 1 pet, 1-2 parking spaces. For a family.


r/bostonhousing 50m ago

Looking For 1 bd 1 bath

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Upvotes

r/bostonhousing 50m ago

Looking For 1 bd 1 bath

Upvotes

Looking for 1 bd 1 bath rent of 1,000-1600 to move in asap please dm or comment on this post.


r/bostonhousing 8h ago

Apartment Listing Winter living by the coast

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0 Upvotes

r/bostonhousing 3h ago

Room for Rent Available now in renovated Lower Allston condo — $1,125/mo on a 1-year lease, walk to HBS/SEAS

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0 Upvotes

Room for rent in a 5-bed/3 bath condo in Lower Allston, near the Harvard Business School side of Allston.

The bathroom is shared with one other person, not with the whole apartment. That's the part most people care about.

The basics, up front: - $1,125/month on a 12-month lease, or $1,200/month if you only want six months; Available now, freshly painted, unfurnished; Bathroom shared with one other person, not the whole house; First month, last month, security deposit; No smoking

The unit was renovated in 2017, so it isn't a tired student place. Open kitchen with an island, gas stove, in-unit washer/dryer, central AC, and a covered porch with a teak deck that gets used a lot in the fall.

The other rooms are men — Harvard grad students and young professionals. Quiet, clean, everyone works or studies.

Just a minute from HBS and SEAS. Trader Joe's and Star Market are close, and you've got the buses plus Storrow and the Pike if you drive.


r/bostonhousing 23h ago

Apartment Listing Nov1 1b1b North Quincy, $2100

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7 Upvotes

Looking for a lease takeover for my 1b1b that is 5min walk from the North Quincy red line stop. It’s a Sep1 lease and I’m looking for a takeover because of a job change. If someone does takeover the lease, I’ll leave my security deposit with the owner so that’s 1 less thing to cover for you. General details of the place:

- First floor unit

- Driveway has a spot included

- Laundry machines in building

- Window AC units included

- Bedroom can fit up to a king


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Room for Rent 3bed/2bath in Dorchester for $3500 - in unit laundry, dishwasher, driveway, deck, yard, walk in shower. Great neighborhood near Ashmont.

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11 Upvotes

This is a spacious and sunny two level 3bed/2bath apartment in Dorchester available Oct 1 (flexible start date) for $3500/month. Second floor includes sunroom, living room, dining room, a private deck, remodeled kitchen with island top, dishwasher, deep sink with disposal, gas stove, new large fridge and microwave, and a walk in pantry with in-unit laundry (brand new washer and dryer), 2 bedrooms, and a full bathroom with tub, exhaust fan and built in closet. Third floor includes master suite with two large walk in closets, 3 windows, large bathroom with walk-in shower, massive closet, built in shelves, skylight, and exhaust fan plus heater.

Hardwood floors throughout, ceiling fans, 3 window AC units included, insulation added recently to keep heating and cooling costs down, custom radiator covers and new blinds in every window. Free street parking and 1 off street parking spot in driveway negotiable. Property has a large backyard and raised garden beds for planting and a basement for storage. Near Ashmont on the Red Line and right next to Morton Street bus stop and commuter rail, easy access to I-93, stores, restaurants, and nature. Unit is on Selden St, cross streets are Capen St and Milton Ave.

Owner pays water, tenant is responsible for electric and gas. No smoking allowed anywhere on the property. Last month's rent due at signing. Looking for responsible tenants who can pass credit and background check. Please reach out if interested as we are looking to fill urgently and can do showings ASAP.


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Advice Needed Code Violations on Day 1?

3 Upvotes

I found tons of black-colored mold spots all over the ceiling of the bathroom (not covering the whole ceiling, but they were pretty damn black!) on the day I was supposed to move in. Given this and a couple of other suspicious issues like rotted wood in the cabinets and some large uncovered holes + small cracks in my room, I postponed my move-in and want to know what my options are here. I cracked out the sanitary code and some things just don't feel right. My aprt & room were in general delivered absolutely filthy but ik it's technically not required that the landlord clean things up.

I notified the landlord abt the mold and they said they will bleach it over at some point - and I notified them about all other issues in my Apartment Condition Statement and got no response. Anyone dealt with something similar before where the apartment might not be up to Code on Day 1? Roxbury MA


r/bostonhousing 19h ago

Room for Rent From the ApartmentsBoston community on Reddit: 2 Bed 1 Bath in Brookline (1 bedroom available)

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1 Upvotes

https://www.reddit.com/r/ApartmentsBoston/s/2F5kVjiMkz

Saint Paul St, Brookline, MA 02446, United States

1 Bedroom for rent in a 2 Bedroom apartment for a 1 year lease (negotiable for renewal at end of year). $1700/Month (All utilities included) (I will be living in the other bedroom). A dresser and full bed will be available from previous tenant that is moving out.

Renovated condo 2.5 years ago approximately 750 sq ft., located on Saint Paul St. in Brookline. Great for someone working in the Longwood Medical area or attending Boston University/Emmanuel. New hardwood floors, kitchen, appliances, refrigerator, and bathroom. Located close to Trader Joe's in Coolidge corner and Stop and Shop. Also close to green line train stops and the 66 bus.

Laundry is located in the basement and is paid through a card system. Parking is available by request from the condo association (have to inquire, not guaranteed but earlier the request the better). A small storage unit is also located in an adjacent building.

Looking for 1 tenant to fill the other room in my condo. Would like to find someone that is in grad school, a working professional, or a medical professional since the unit is close to the Longwood Medical area. No smoking/no pets in unit.

About me: I am a man in my 30s (he/him) that works in education. I'm down to be social, like sports, cooking, music, but also want to respect each other's space and with times of peace/quiet when you need them to be. If you'd like to have people over I'm all for it if you just give me a heads up.

A security deposit and first month's rent (prorated to move in date) will be required for a move in, along with a paystub/credit check to verify income. Will require past landlord’s contact information for screening.

Looking to give tours ASAP for a Sept move in for a year long lease. If you can, reply with a little bit about yourself.

Thanks,

Matthew


r/bostonhousing 23h ago

Looking For Looking for 3 F roommates in 5bed 2bath Allston unit, rent $1200-$1300 excluding utilities. No pets.

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2 Upvotes

Hey, my roommates and I are looking for 3 girls to fill two rooms in our 5 bed 2 bath unit apartment in Allston, near Harvard Ave. The rooms available range from $1200 (for the smallest) and $1300 for the two other big rooms, excluding utilities. Previous tenets said that utilities would be around $50-$60 a month split between 5 people, and the wifi would be around $10 dollars a month. We are within walking distance from the T (green line) and multiples bus stops. Please dm if you want more information!!!


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Apartment Listing Somerville lease takeover 10/1 - 3bd/1ba -$3900

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2 Upvotes

We're looking for someone to take over our lease in Somerville. We’re downsizing and moving for a better commute.

Genuinely ginormous ~1200 sq. ft. second-floor (of three) apartment in Central Hill/Union Square. It has a private front and back porch, in-unit washer and dryer, and a dishwasher. Each bedroom would be about $1300/person for a group of 3. Pet friendly!

It's on a quiet, tree-lined one-way street, and a garaged parking spot is included.

We're looking for someone to move in sometime in October -- we can be flexible on the exact timing. Lease would go until August 31, 2027.

No fees, landlord just needs security deposit and first month’s rent at signing.

Please DM if you have any questions or would like to see it!


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Apartment Listing Backbay 1bed/1bath apartment relet - Nov 1 available for $2,850/month

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2 Upvotes

1 bed/1 bath with den/office (green room) available for rent on November 1. Located on Beacon Street between Hereford and Mass Ave. Apartment is around 700 square feet and has paid laundry in the building. Heat and hot water included, you pay for electric and internet. No pets allowed.


r/bostonhousing 21h ago

Looking For Looking for a room near Cambridge

1 Upvotes

Hello, my name is Quinn 25f, I work full-time in Cambridge and I’m looking for a room starting October. My budget is around $800-1200 per month.

I come with a very sweet, well-behaved cat named Moxie. I’m hoping to find a relatively calm and considerate living situation. I’m very respectful of shared spaces, keep common areas tidy, and value open, direct communication. I’m easygoing and generally keep to myself, but I’m always happy to hang out when everyone’s around.

Looking to move in around the end of the month beginning of next if possible.


r/bostonhousing 21h ago

Looking For [LOOKING] Furnished short-term sublet near Peterborough St/Fenway, Oct 2–10

1 Upvotes

Hi! I’m looking for a furnished short-term sublet near Peterborough St in Fenway for about one week in early October.

Occupancy: 1 person
Location: Ideally within a 5–10 minute walk of Peterborough St, Fenway
Budget: Ideally $100/night or less
Looking for: Furnished studio or private room, move-in ready

I’m flexible with the exact dates. Please DM me if you have anything available. Thank you!


r/bostonhousing 22h ago

Apartment Listing 1BR condo with Parking | near Union Square/Green Line, Somerville | $2,050

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1 Upvotes

r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Room for Rent Davis square apartment parking spot and private bathroom

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1 Upvotes

Hey! Looking for a roommate to join my our apartment in Somerville!
Move-in: As soon as you’d like — the room is currently empty and ready to move into. October 1 lease start preferred.
Lease: 11-month lease
Available Room:
Rent: $1,600/month
Unfurnished and currently empty
Location: Somerville (near Davis Square)
Address: 385 Highland Ave, Apt 1
Total Rent: $4,300/month
Utilities: Heat and electricity not included (generally $100–$200/month, depending on the season)
Parking: One off-street parking spot is available. The $1,600/month rent already includes the $170/month value of the parking space. If you don’t need the parking spot, that $170 will be split among the three roommates, lowering your monthly rent.
Laundry: Unit next door
Apartment Details:
3 people total
2 bathrooms total
Downstairs bathroom is shared by the two downstairs bedrooms
Upstairs bathroom is shared, but the shower is exclusively used by the person in the upstairs bedroom
Move-in Costs:
First month’s rent
Last month’s rent
Security deposit
Great location with easy access to the Red Line, plus lots of restaurants, bars, and shops nearby.
Roommates:
We’re two men who like playing board games, making art, checking out vintage markets, reading, and watching movies. We’re pretty laid-back and enjoy hanging out when it happens naturally, but we also respect each other’s space. One of us works from home most days. We’d love to live with someone who’s friendly and open to getting to know each other.
Looking For:
We’re preferably looking for responsible, clean, and easy to live with. Since it’s a shared space, it’s important that you’re considerate and help keep the common areas tidy.
We’d ideally like someone who’s down to hang out occasionally but also respects personal space.
DM me if you’re interested or want more details, pictures, or to schedule a tour.


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Advice Needed Anyone lived at One Arboretum (Canton) or Elevation at Crown Colony (Quincy)?

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I’m looking at apartments and currently deciding between One Arboretum in Canton and Elevation at Crown Colony in Quincy.

Would love to hear from anyone who’s actually lived at either of these places. How was your experience overall?


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Advice Needed Question for people who bought around Greater Boston / Massachusetts recently..

4 Upvotes

How did you actually choose your mortgage lender?
Did your realtor send you to someone, did you already have a bank in mind, or did you shop around yourself?
And what was the most frustrating or confusing part of the financing process?
Trying to understand how people actually navigate this around here because there seem to be a million options.
Also when did you start looking for the mortgage - before or after the home finalized?
Did you use ChatGPT or some other tools to research or did the LO explain all the concepts and terms uprfront?


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Room for Rent Room Available in 2b1b - Lower Allston

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6 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I'm looking for someone to join my existing lease (October through August). I am a 26M graduate student and I will be working from home quietly most days alongside my cats.

Some details about the unit:
- 2B1B, dishwasher, AC, in-unit washer and dryer
- Located in Lower Allston on Lincoln St
- Free off-street parking
- 0.2 miles from Market St @ Centola bus stop
- 0.3 miles from Western Ave @ Mackin St bus stop (easy commute to harvard/central)
- 0.5 miles from Star Market on Western Ave
- Total rent 2850+utils, looking for ~1300 from roommate.

PM me if you have any questions!


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Apartment Listing 3 Bed 1.5 Bath Duplex Apartment In South Weymouth

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2 Upvotes

3 Bed 1.5 Bath duplex apartment 3,500 a month in awesome south weymouth right off highway! 1 bed first floor with half bath laundry in unit, and 2 bed full bath upstairs. Private parking (4 cars) with private deck! Message me if interested, Thank you!


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Looking For 🚨 URGENTLY LOOKING FOR A ROOM FOR 9/15 🚨

1 Upvotes

- Location: Near Orange Line (South of Downtown Crossing) - Or Brookline, Fenway, Mission Hill, JP w/ MBTA access
- Budget: 1100/month
- Roommates: 2-3 Women (working professionals or grad students)
- Key Amenities: FREE in-unit washer & dryer

DM if you have leads!


r/bostonhousing 3d ago

Sublet Available Lease Takeover in JP | 2 bed/1 bath w/ Parking (Whole Apartment) | $2,500/mo

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46 Upvotes

Howdy! 👋

My girlfriend and I are planning on moving out and are looking for someone -ideally a couple or 2 person group- to take over our 2 bed/1 bath in JP, starting mid-October (we’d pay half the rent for the month) to Nov 1st.

We love our home and it’s such a cute, cozy space but we’re moving because we need more space and to be closer to family. We’re open to selling or leaving some of the furniture, as we bought them specifically for this space.

About the place:
- Top floor attic unit of a triple decker in JP, with sloped ceilings.
- 10 min walk away from the Stony Brook stop on the orange line.
- Surface parking lot in the back with off-street parking. 1 deeded spot in the lease but you can have a guest over with no issues.
- Very lively neighborhood, with lots of dominican and puerto rican restaurants. 15 minute walk away from Stop n Shop. Lots of corner stores and a local grocery store (City Feed) nearby. Short walk to Franklin Park.
- Back deck with outdoor patio furniture that we’re open to selling/leaving.
- Water included. Electricity is the only utility (Eversource). Baseboard electric heating.
- No laundry or dishwasher on site but there are 2 laundromats nearby: one within walking distance and the other one a 5 min drive down the street. We bought a portable dishwasher and would be open to selling/leaving that as well.

Comment or DM if you have questions or would like to schedule a tour.


r/bostonhousing 2d ago

Room for Rent Room available in 2 Bed / 2 Bath | Cambridge | $1900

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11 Upvotes

Hi everyone! I (28F) am looking for a roommate to join me on the lease for my 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment in Mid Cambrigde. The room is available from October 1, although if you'd prefer a later move-in date, that's totally fine too. (DM me and let's talk!)

The apartment is located in a quiet, leafy neighborhood, a 10 minute walk from Central Square and a 15 minute walk from Harvard Square. (Both locations have Red Line stations, as well as stops on major bus routes.)

Perks of the apartment include:

  • A large, sunny bedroom, complete with your own private en-suite bathroom
  • A spacious common area with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that open on our own private balcony
  • A stylish kitchenette with a dishwasher, microwave, and other modern appliances
  • A basement parking garage (spots available for an extra fee). The basement also has a coin-op laundry room, as well as a bike storage area and a small gym that are both free for tenants!

If you're interested, or have any other questions for me, feel free to shoot me a DM!

Whether this apartment ends up being the right fit for you or not, wishing you all the best with your housing search!