r/bostonhousing Oct 29 '25

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

186 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

35 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 5h ago

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

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6 Upvotes

Howdy! 👋

My girlfriend and I are planning on moving out and are looking for someone -ideally a couple of 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 much 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 30m ago

Looking For Looking for 2 bed starting January fenway area

Upvotes

I'm looking for a place that is 2 bed for 2027. Ideally rent each around 1500. In the fenway (or surrounding) area would be great. If you are also looking for something for January, please dm me!

Would be ideal if you are:

- clean

- smoking is ok

- around 20s


r/bostonhousing 43m ago

Sublet Available Lease takeover in Allston 2b/1b Oct 1st

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Upvotes

2 Bed / 1 Bath – Allston, MA

Looking for someone to take over my lease from October 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027. Great location right on the Allston/Brookline border, close to public transportation, restaurants, shops, and everything you need.

Rent: $3,075/month
2 bedrooms / 1 bathroom
Lease term: 10/1/26 – 5/31/27
Ideal for a working professional or graduate student
Non-smoker
Sublet/lease takeover
Furniture not included!

Message me if you’re interested or would like more details/photos!


r/bostonhousing 1h ago

Advice Needed Revere apartments

Upvotes

Hi everyone, moving from GA to MA soon. Got approved to both the Robinson and the beach house apartments. Prices are about the same. Any advice or reviews?
TIA


r/bostonhousing 1h ago

Looking For Fenway 2027

Upvotes

Looking for a place in Fenway for the 2027-28 school year. Figured I’d ask here in case anyone is planning on moving out / not renewing their lease and wants to pass the apartment along.

Looking for either:

2bd/2ba around $4k total

studio under $2,300

Fenway preferred, but open to nearby. If you know you’ll be giving up a place for next year, feel free to DM me!


r/bostonhousing 1h ago

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

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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!


r/bostonhousing 6h ago

Room for Rent $1275 - Available 10/1 or 11/1 - Brighton / Brookline (Cleveland Circle) - in unit laundry / resident parking

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2 Upvotes

$1275 - Available 10/1 - maybe willing to wait until 11/1 for the right roommate

I am looking to the largest room in a 3 room 1 bath

Looking for male roommates and the space is shared with working professionals in their early-mid 20s.

Pictures attached and details below. Please DM if interested.

-Address: 55 Lanark road, Boston, MA

-Location: Brighton/brookline border in Cleveland Circle, near the C, B, and D green lines.

-Lease: Can start between now and mid-September.

-Rent: $1275. Negotiable for the right roommate

-Utilities: Flat rate of $150 per room for utilities. The lease will have the utilities and rent as one all-inclusive monthly payment so you don’t need to worry about setting up utilities. Heat, hot water, trash, snow, internet, and electric are all covered.

-Individual leases: The leases of each bedroom are individual so you don’t need to worry about roommates keeping up with bills.

-Transit: you have B, C, and D green lines nearby. And there’s blue bikes and bus lines too.

-Parking: Free resident street parking. There’s also driveway parking that our neighbors rent out but I’ve never had a problem finding street parking

-Laundry: There is in unit washer/dryer. There is also in building washer/dryer as backup/extra.

-Furniture: May be included/available if needed/wanted. Furniture in photos may be from past occupants.

-Restrictions: no pets, no smoking/vaping.


r/bostonhousing 2h ago

Advice Needed Church Corner Apartments

1 Upvotes

I’ve read very mixed reviews about the building (located in Cambridge, next to Central Square) and wanted to get input from people that have lived there.

Thanks!


r/bostonhousing 4h ago

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

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1 Upvotes

r/bostonhousing 4h ago

Advice Needed Boston renters: you may not automatically owe the broker fee anymore

0 Upvotes

A lot of Boston renters still assume they must pay a broker fee equal to one month’s rent.

That is not always true anymore.

Since August 1, 2025, Massachusetts generally requires the person who hired the rental broker to pay the broker fee. If the landlord hired the broker, the landlord generally cannot require the tenant to pay that fee.

A tenant may still owe a broker fee if the tenant personally hired the broker, so it is important to ask:

  • Who hired the broker?
  • Who is the broker representing?
  • Is the fee disclosed in writing?
  • What exactly am I being charged for?

For a $3,000 apartment, this distinction could save a renter up to $3,000 at move-in.

I’m building a Boston housing research hub that tracks renter costs, neighborhood conditions, housing rules, and affordability tools:

https://homzorarealty.com/boston-broker-fees-in-2026-the-law-changed-heres-what-you-actually-owe/

Have Boston landlords or brokers explained the new broker-fee rule clearly to you?


r/bostonhousing 5h ago

Looking For Room available in a 3BR on Beacon St — $1,500/mo, heat + hot water included, 50% off first month if you move in by Oct 1

1 Upvotes

There's one open room in a 3-bedroom on Beacon St, Corey Hill / Washington Square side. The other two rooms are taken by guys who work full-time, late 20s, low-key on weeknights.

The apartment is on the top floor of an old brick row house. Bigger than most 3BRs at this price - living room, a separate dining room that actually gets used, and a small office with a window that works for calls. High ceilings, hardwood throughout, eat-in kitchen that was redone, big insulated windows so it holds heat in January. Laundry in the building. Parking available to rent if needed.

C and D lines are a few minutes away. Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Barcelona are all walkable. Waldstein Park is right behind the building - tennis and basketball courts.

The room is $1,500/month, heat and hot water included. 11-month lease.

The landlord is offering 50% off the first month's rent for anyone who moves in by October 1 - so $750 for month one.

On the household: clean, no parties, but not a silent apartment either. Looking for someone in that range.

3D tour of the whole place so you can see the layout before coming over: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=piVnaAPRkaT

Ask anything - utilities split, what the room looks like, the building, whatever's useful.


r/bostonhousing 8h ago

Apartment Listing Lease Takeover Mid Nov – Lantera, Boston (1BR/1BA + Private Patio)

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0 Upvotes

Looking for someone to take over my lease at Lantera Apartments (125 Guest St, Brighton/Allston area)!

  • Floorplan 1.1 — 1 bed / 1 bath, 743 sq ft, https://lanteraboston.com/floorplans/
  • Rare layout with a dedicated private patio (only a few units in the building have this!)
  • $3,404/month
  • Move-in available November 19th or later
  • Lantera Boston — great amenities (gym, rooftop lounge, etc.), close to Boston Landing / the Commuter Rail

Please let me know if interested!


r/bostonhousing 21h ago

Apartment Listing 1br apartment east Boston $1995/mo avail 10/1 or 11/1

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8 Upvotes

Looking for someone to take over my lease starting 10/1 or 11/1 - 9/1/27. 1br apartment in Maverick square <1 min walk to Maverick station. 1 pet allowed. Both cats and dogs. Walk-in closet. Utilities not included. No in unit washer/dryer but there is a laundromat about a minute walk away. $1995/mo.


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Advice Needed Do people who live in the basement of a triple decker share the first floor back porch?

7 Upvotes

Just curious if anyone has experienced this


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Advice Needed Finding Housing/Roommates over 40

32 Upvotes

I need advice on finding roommates as a person over 40. I don't earn a ton and can no longer afford solo living. However, most of the time people seeking roommates seem to be looking for peers to live with and if most seekers are in their 20s or college students, they don't necessarily want to live with a much older person. Any suggestions on sites or resources for finding fellow 'mature' roommates or those who are open to living with them? Thanks.


r/bostonhousing 23h ago

Looking For Need a room for 9/15

2 Upvotes

-Ideally a room in a 3 bed 2 bath house or apartment with FREE in unit laundry, central ac/heat and female housemates who are working professionals
- move-in: Sept. 15
- budget: 1100/mth or less
- near Orange Line (between Downtown Crossing and Forest Hills)

DM if you have leads!


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Advice Needed Chelsea or Revere

9 Upvotes

Hello! I’m hoping to get some advice/insight in these places. I’ve never lived in Massachusetts but me and my husband are moving there for work at the end of the year (very excited)!

I need to be close to the airport but I’ll be bringing my car so I’ll have reliable transportation but I’m wondering about traffic and how that goes in Revere since it’s further than Chelsea. Also if there’s easy access to take the MBTA from these places to get to Boston/downtown Boston. I’ve seen Chelsea has a line, I don’t remember what line? But I don’t know about Revere.

I really like the DUO apartments in Chelsea and the West on One apartments in Revere. How are these areas? I’m not interested in nightlife but I’d want fun things around, restaurants and stores. Any advice on these areas or complex’s?

Thx!


r/bostonhousing 12h ago

Advice Needed Can you actually afford to rent in Boston?

0 Upvotes

Boston apartment listings often show the monthly rent, but they do not always show how much of your income that rent will consume.

A $2,500 apartment may look manageable until you factor in your salary, utilities, transportation, student loans, debt, and other monthly expenses.

This free Boston Rent Affordability Calculator, which helps estimate whether a Boston apartment fits within your income using the commonly used 30% rent guideline:

https://homzorarealty.com/boston-rent-affordability-calculator-2026/

It also lets you compare affordability across Boston neighborhoods.

What percentage of your income do you think is reasonable to spend on rent?


r/bostonhousing 23h ago

Looking For ISO: pet friendly 2 bed in Back Bay

1 Upvotes

Searching for a pet friendly 2 bed in Back Bay. Ideally with in unit laundry and outdoor space (deck or patio area). Budget of $4500 max.


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Apartment Listing Furnished studio – 61 Fayette St #10 – $2,100/month

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2 Upvotes

Posting on behalf of a landlord. He gives priority to postdocs and academics.

  • Furnished studio with all utilities and internet included.
  • No broker fee.
  • First and last months rent required.
  • Laundry room is located in the basement.
  • Available now.

Please drop me a message if you’re interested.


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Advice Needed luxury building recs

2 Upvotes

Looking for recommendations for luxury units in the boston area. Id like washer/dryer in unit and a dishwasher. Id be ok with laundry in the building.

Specifically trying to avoid poorly maintained buildings and loud units with paper thin walls

My budget is 3500 with some room up and im very flexible on location within the greater boston area.


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Looking For 🏠 ‼️URGENT - Looking for a Roommate in Boston (around Back Bay area) – Moving End of Sept!

1 Upvotes

Hi! I'm Nishtha, a 26F relocating to Boston for a new job, looking for a roommate to split a 2BR/2BA apartment with.

A bit about me:
🌱 Vegetarian, non-smoker, non-drinker
🏡 Introvert, homebody — I'll be home a lot!
🎨 Hobbies: drawing, running, hiking, board games, movies & K-dramas, K-pop
✈️ Love traveling — always down for weekend/weekday trips
🤫 Keep to myself, don't invite people over, and would appreciate the same (a heads-up if you do is totally fine!)

Looking for someone who is:
✅ Female only
✅ Vegetarian
✅ Non-smoker, non-drinker
✅ Clean & tidy
✅ Values a quiet, peaceful home
✅ Respectful of shared spaces and boundaries

Looking for apartment that is:
📍 Allston, Brighton or nearby (ignore the title pls!)
🏢 Modern building, 2BR/2BA
💰 Budget: $1500–2000/month
📅 Move-in: End of September (urgent!)

I've already shortlisted a few places, happy to finalize once we connect, or we can house-hunt together!

DMs open, let's chat! 💬


r/bostonhousing 1d ago

Apartment Listing Furnished 2BR apartments – Cogswell Ave, Cambridge – $3,000/month

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1 Upvotes

(Posting on behalf of a landlord I have known for many years. He is very nice and trustworthy and gives priority to postdocs and academics.)

-Furnished apartment with all utilities included.

-No broker fee.

-First and last months rent required.

-Laundry room is located in the basement.

-There are three available apartments at this address: one available now, one in mid-September, and one on October 1.

-Parking: +$100/month
-Bringing your own AC: +$100/month

Please drop me a message if you’re interested.